Bill Simmons releases Paul George-Terry Rozier trade amid scandal

Terry Rozier is persona non grata in the NBA right now, because of what he is arrested as part of a broad federal investigation into gambling and sports betting. But it didn’t stop Bill Simmons from starting the trading machine.

Despite Rozier being on the an unpaid leave As his case works its way through the legal system, Simmons suggested that Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers get on the phones and discuss the trade, which includes Rozier, whose contract expires after this season, and Andrew Wiggins shipped to Philly at exchange for Paul George.

“That Rozier trade, that contract is a miracle asset out of nowhere,” Simmons’ longtime friend Joe House told the “Bill Simmons Podcast.” “Miami gets this incredible advantage. I think Paul George could make sense in Miami. Why does Miami say no, because of that third year of that contract?”

“Yes,” Simmons replied. “Because you’re thinking, especially if you have Bam and you’re paying Herro, could you be in play for Giannis guys in two years. Do you want to hang up your cap? And is Paul George demonstrably better than Andrew Wiggins? Is he going to be such an asset that it’s worth hanging up the cap for a third year? And Philly will pick up a third year.”

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=L0ZviMLPsbK

If this were to happen, trading away a player who may never step on an NBA court again and Wiggins, a useful but inconsistent wing, would certainly indicate that the 76ers were desperate to get out of the $211.6 million contract they gave George a year ago. Whether that will come to fruition remains to be seen, but it’s easy to see why they would want to do it.

George, who will turn 36 in the playoffs, he has yet to play this season while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery over the summer. Meanwhile, first round draft pick VJ Edgecombe was a revelation; through the first four games of his career (all wins), he averaged 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 42.9 percent from three.

While Edgecombe and George could certainly play together, the Sixers may choose not to take the ball out of the rookie’s hands, especially because of his chemistry with Joel Embiid and Tirese McKay is improving. George, who played in 41 games last season, his first with the 76ers, is expected to make his season debut sometime in the next few weeks.