A potential Ben Simmons trade has been the talk of the offseason in the NBA.
This is the potential trade that could shift everything in the league — not only because Simmons is as good as he is, but the 76ers asking price is also a hefty one. They’re looking for an All-Star talent in return, and that means a team with an All-Star talent would have to give one up.
That’s what the hold-up has been on this whole thing so far. The suitors with that sort of talent are few and far between. And they’re also not willing to give those players up.
There was a point where the 76ers were trying to make things work with Simmons, but that’s clearly done and over with now.
The 76ers point-forward has reportedly told the team he no longer wants to be a member and that he is planning on reporting to training camp, per the Philadelphia Inquierer’s Keith Pompey.
Ben Simmons tells #Sixers brass he no longer wants to be a Sixer and does not intend to report to training camp, according to multiple sources. https://t.co/17X1XfkzZO via @phillyinquirer
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) August 31, 2021
So there’s that. It also seems like Simmons’ teammates — or, uh, former teammates at this point — are operating under the assumption that he is, indeed, out.
Danny Green appeared on Howard Beck’s Crossover podcast on Sports Illustrated and he spoke about Simmons as if he was already out.
On the Crossover: A very candid @DGreen_14 discusses his free agency, the NBA's shrinking middle-class market, Philly's title hopes and yes, Ben Simmons' future.
Listen/subscribe: https://t.co/lhCvpA2us5 pic.twitter.com/YS1JW3oeJB
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) August 31, 2021
“We don’t know what we’re going to get back for him. We may get a point guard, we may get wings, that may change a lot…I don’t know who we’re going to get.”
That sounds a lot like a teammate who knows that his teammate is gone. That’s always been the assumption in this situation, but this time seems real.
There are plenty of options out there for a trade, but the 76ers are reportedly waiting on Damian Lillard to decide he wants to leave the Trail Blazers. That doesn’t seem like it’ll happen anytime soon.
The 76ers are in a tough place. They’re not willing to give up on an All-Star talent for less value, but there don’t seem to be many equal or better options out there on the market.
The next option is to hold on to Simmons and allow him to build his value through playing this season, but that’s a risky situation for a few reasons. He could (but hopefully won’t) get hurt, he could look worse, that locker room could be awful. We don’t know.
He could also just not play at all this season until a deal materializes but that would also require the 76ers sticking players like Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle into roles they may not quite be ready for.
Regardless, something is going to have to be done. A decision will have to be made. Because the current situation is untenable for all parties involved. Just know, whatever decision Philadelphia makes it’ll almost certainly shape the landscape for the NBA for next season.
And they have until Sept. 28 when camp starts to make it.
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