Sixers Reportedly Want a "KG and Pierce" Haul for Ben Simmons
NBA free agency talks are officially allowed to begin at 6 p.m. tonight.
In a primer at Sports Illustrated, Chris Mannix drops this nugget regarding Ben Simmons:
Don’t expect a quick decision on Ben Simmons. As has been reported, Philadelphia has been asking for a lot for Simmons. “Forget a Harden haul,” an exec in contact with Philadelphia told SI. “They want what Boston got for KG and Pierce.” The Sixers, though, seem to be in no rush, with Simmons under contract for the next four seasons and the market for Simmons, after last spring’s playoff debacle, relatively cool. Toronto is an option—Pascal Siakam, coming off a turbulent season, is available—while Philadelphia may choose to wait and see what happens in Portland. Many teams, frankly, are waiting to see what happens with Portland.
The Nets sent Boston three first rounders and a pick swap in that KG and Paul Pierce deal. That was back in 2013.
RE: Portland, that would make a lot of sense. If Bradley Beal is intent on staying in Washington, then the best target in a Ben Simmons trade is definitely Damian Lillard. He’s the guy who makes the most sense for the Sixers and addresses what they need, which is perimeter scoring and late-game shot creation. They’ve desperately needed it for years now, and nobody really seems to have a true grasp on what Portland and Lillard are going to end up doing.
And Daryl Morey is in no hurry to move Ben right now, for a lesser haul. He doesn’t have to do that. The worst-case scenario is that Ben starts the season with the Sixers, plays his value up as a regular season monster, and then you trade him during the season. Maybe that’s actually the best-case scenario, if you get a better haul from that scenario.