Indiana Pacers: Philadelphia’s trade refusal is insulting, yet assuring

While the wildly unwavering Ben Simmons tumult has suddenly come to a temporary halt after the disgruntled star recently reported to the Philadelphia 76ers, the rumor mill still hasn’t relaxed.  The Indiana Pacers, who were claimed by refutable sources to have engaged in talks with the team, were alleged to have offered Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert for the three-time All-Star.

The averred willingness of the Pacers brass to dangle their starting backcourt for the jumbo playmaker is questionable and surprising in itself, but Philly’s reported stance was even more perplexing, with the 76ers declining Indiana’s offer outright, with some sources even maintaining that the Sixers never quite mirrored the Pacers’ interest on a deal, and that all talks so far have stemmed from the latter’s front.

Let me rid myself of suspicions: I am in no way endorsing or insinuating that both teams would greatly benefit from executing such trade, as I have intensely expressed before, but the implied undervaluation of Indiana’s core players speaks of the disrespect of the team and highlights how the 76ers underrate other players while putting overt glory on their own.

Philly’s refusal will benefit the Indiana Pacers down the road

Ultimately, the Philadelphia 76ers’ lack of interest in this sense will serve the Indiana Pacers well. While the front office’s intention to assert itself in the Ben Simmons chaos, if the reports are accurate, is counterintuitive given the required unreasonable returns, then this would easily be a blessing by omission.

Simmons is an All-Star talent, which neither Brogdon and LeVert can similarly boast, but those two cogs are not far away from what the Australian can bring to the table, especially with his recent postseason disappearing act as a benchmark. The Pacers’ starting backcourt has yet to prove themselves as game changers in the playoffs, but their skillsets are a lot more congenial to benefit the team in its totality.

Another good thing arising out of this reported one-sided affair is that it rids the 76ers of a way to improve their team while quashing a significant source of distraction. Brogdon and LeVert would easily fit well around Joel Embiid, and both are high-character players who are far from the combustible impact of Simmons off the court recently.

I can only shrug at the Indiana Pacers brass for seemingly remaining keen on foraying into the Ben Simmons discussion, but the Philadelphia 76ers’ ambitious fantasies on a return for their disgruntled star, even if insulting to a degree, could ultimately end up saving the Blue and Gold.