New Potential Ben Simmons Trade Partners Coming into Mix
By Peter Dewey
Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers are headed for an inevitable divorce, but there are still plenty of options for where Simmons could land if he’s dealt prior to the 2021-22 season.
“So far, Simmons’ situation remains the same,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania wrote. “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.”
The Sixers may want to move on from Simmons to better build around Joel Embiid, but they also don’t want to sell low on Simmons after he struggled against the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs last season.
WynnBET has the Sixers in sixth on the odds list to win the NBA title next season at +1800, but it’s hard to see Philly running it back with the same roster and beating the Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets or even the improved Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference.
Trading Simmons simply for the sake of trading him would set the Sixers back, and even some of the deals that Charania discussed as possibilities seem underwhelming for Philadelphia.
“The [Minnesota] Timberwolves have been motivated to find a deal for Simmons but would likely require a third team given their asset pool of Malik Beasley, Jaden McDaniels and D’Angelo Russell might not entice the 76ers.
“Philadelphia has its eyes set on Portland All-NBA guard Damian Lillard, sources say, but the Trail Blazers have fully focused on continuing to build around Lillard. As of now, Lillard is continuing to evaluate the Trail Blazers’ present and future and is slated to begin training camp with the organization. In some ways, the 76ers are stuck between deciding whether to make a move now with Simmons — or waiting until a star like Lillard shakes free.”
Lillard would raise the Sixers’ ceiling immediately, but there’s no way the Blazers would accept a straight up Simmons-for-Lillard swap.
The relationship between Simmons and the organization is certainly damaged, but you don’t move on from a three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive player that is under contract for several years and settle for the first offer.
Unless the Sixers get a deal that they love, like a move for Lillard, it’s hard to see Simmons going anywhere just yet.
Can the Sixers win with Ben Simmons? Make your pick now on WynnBET.