There’s no doubt, the Chicago Bulls would have to give up a lot here to land Simmons. But the benefit back to them would be two fold. The first major benefit is getting a star to build around that also doesn’t force them to give up a very valuable asset like LaVine, Markkanen, center Wendell Carter Jr. and/or rookie point guard Coby White.
Instead, the Bulls get to juice their second benefit and get off the money that comes from the often-injured former Washington Wizards small forward Otto Porter Jr. They also get to send out the veteran former Indiana Pacers power forward Thaddeus Young, who was visibly unhappy in the Windy City ahead of the trade deadline this season.
Another piece that the Bulls would get in return along with Simmons is the former Texas Tech Red Raiders shooting guard/wing Zhaire Smith. While Smith hasn’t really worked out in Philly yet, a change of scenery to a team that needs helps at the position he fills could be a fantastic fit. Smith has only played in seven games so far this season, posting a negative number of win shares and a player efficiency rating of just 1.1.
The costliest piece of this trade deal as far as the Bulls are concerned is giving up three future first round draft picks. That list of first round draft picks does include their 2020 lottery pick. But giving the Sixers shooters in return for getting rid of Simmons and Smith could be a good move for both sides, depending on how the draft picks are valued.