76ers GM Brand: ‘In Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, we have two of the NBA’s top 20 players’

Happy times in Philadelphia as the 76ers acquired All-Star Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton from Minnesota in exchange for Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round pick.

With the move, the 76ers have put themselves in position to contend for an NBA title this year and beyond.

76ers GM Elton Brand believes adding Butler to what they have with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons gives Philadelphia a legitimate chance against the top teams in the NBA:

“We have a championship window that’s centered around the continued progression of our talented young core, as well as our ability to add elite players who elevate our program,” Brand said. “In Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, we have two of the NBA’s top 20 players. Now, we’ve added a third top-20 player in Jimmy Butler, who is one of the NBA’s very best on both ends of the floor. This move further strengthens our pursuit of a championship and gives us a formidable combination to take on the league’s top teams.”

Butler, who has been selected an NBA All-Star in each of the past four seasons, has appeared in 10 games (all starts) this season with Minnesota, averaging 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals (third in the NBA) in 36.1 minutes per game.

Regarding Simmons and Embiid being top 20 players in the NBA, Embiid is a top 20 player. He is an early season MVP candidate averaging 27.7 ppg and 13.9 rpg. At times, he has been unstoppable. Embiid has two 40-pont games in this young season

Concerning Simmons, he has top 20 ability, but I don’t think he is a top 20 player just yet. However, if the 2017 Rookie of the Year can develop a jump shot or something close to it, he will be a legit top 20 player as well.

No matter how you view Embiid and Simmons, it is safe to say that the 76ers have two young players that could be superstars for years to come.