Report: Sixers Conducted "Expansive Discussions with Several Teams" Regarding Ben Simmons
At The Athletic, Shams Charania offers a Ben Simmons update in a story published Monday morning.
Writes Shams:
The 76ers opened up trade conversations around Simmons, the three-time All-Star, in July, but so far their conversations have not reached the cusp of a deal. Philadelphia has conducted expansive discussions with several teams, including Minnesota and Toronto, but neither a Timberwolves package nor the Raptors’ proposals have appealed to the 76ers as of yet. Philadelphia has set a high price threshold for teams to meet in talks for Simmons thus far.
So far, Simmons’ situation remains the same. While the 76ers have told teams they are comfortable bringing Simmons back for the 2021-22 season, rival executives believe it’s only a matter of when — not if — the All-Defensive team stalwart is moved.
For now, all signs continue to point to Simmons’ career in Philadelphia coming to an end.
Charania goes on to say that the Sixers are focused on Damian Lillard, but that his future with Portland is undecided right now. No clue if he’s going to stay or ask for a trade.
It brings us back to… where we already were with Simmons. We know the Sixers aren’t going to move him for peanuts. They need an elite perimeter player in return. Minnesota doesn’t have that, nor would Ben want to freeze his ass off up there, we presume. Toronto is an interesting destination, but Fred VanVleet and/or OG Anunoby would definitely need to come to Philadelphia in return. They’ve got more to offer than Minnesota, but not sure how far they’re willing to go.
If Simmons starts camp with the Sixers, that’s fine. You don’t have to move him right this very moment. If Lillard is the prize, and you think he might become available later, then you show some patience and try to make that work. If not, you see what else develops and then move Ben in-season. He’ll only play his value back up because we all know he’s an excellent regular season performer. As long as the Sixers don’t get to a postseason half-court scenario, they’re okay.