[Fedor] Sources maintain the Cavs don’t have any “untouchables.” However, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland are closest to that designation. The likelihood of either player being moved is incredibly low. That leaves Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro and future first-rounders to help cajole a Simmons deal.

Source

Most of the chatter has centered on Kevin Love. A large part is Cleveland’s desire to move him. But in this rare instance his bloated $31 million salary is somewhat of an asset, nearly matching Simmons’ $33 million number. It’s logical to start hypothetical deals there. Now just find the other pieces to entice Philadelphia -- or a third or fourth team. Then again, even though Love’s floor spacing and shooting would seem to be a good fit next to center Joel Embiid, Love’s still viewed leaguewide as a negative asset, which means Philadelphia would need an incentive boost, forcing the Cavs to add extra pieces in that deal.

In terms of salary filler, Ricky Rubio’s $17.8 million expiring contract would be much more appealing and it’s now past Sept. 10 -- the date in which his salary can be aggregated in a trade. The Cavs like Rubio. They are excited about his leadership and playmaking potential. But getting someone like Simmons means parting with valued players. Rubio or Love would almost certainly have to be the starting point, as Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen can’t legally be traded until December, about two months into the season -- provided the Cavs were willing to go that direction.

Sources maintain the Cavs don’t have any “untouchables.” However, prized rookie Evan Mobley and rising point guard Darius Garland are closest to that designation. The likelihood of either player being moved is incredibly low. That leaves Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro and future first-rounders to help cajole a Simmons deal.

According to sources, the 76ers would want limited or no protections on those firsts in hopes of flipping them for an All-Star caliber player around the deadline. That, alone, would be incredibly risky for Cleveland -- a still-rebuilding team that’s won 60 combined games over the last three years and is only projected to win around 26 this season. Even the addition of Simmons wouldn’t change the 2021-22 forecast that much, as the Cavs wouldn’t have enough short-term floor-spacers or shooters around the limited Simmons. Any deal would mean rejiggering the roster quite a bit.