Trade rumors: No one's interested in Ben Simmons, will remain a Sixer
We are already deep into the NBA season, and the Philadelphia 76ers-Ben Simmons saga is still not nearing a resolution. Veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein is the latest to share some insider info on the matter. After spending a couple of days with NBA executives, Stein found out that no one seems interested in acquiring the Australian and will likely remain in Philly.
"I have to say just having spent three days in the gym with lots of NBA executives... I heard so little about Ben Simmons in Vegas. Just remarkably little. That just illustrates, to me, just what a secondary thing trade pursuits are at the moment whereas normally, I think in that kind of environment, even if there was nothing happening with Ben, just kind of Ben predictions would have been flying around the gym and you just really didn’t get much of that," Stein said, Greenroom.
This piece of information adds more depth (if not confusion) to the 76ers-Simmons debacle. At the very beginning, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey made it clear that he wants a superstar caliber player in exchange for Simmons. He does not care if the Australian's lack of a jump shot decreased his stock. In his eyes, Simmons is still an elite and won't give him up for peanuts.
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This made things extra difficult for teams who want the 25-year-old's services. His playoff performance was telling. Yes, he is one heck of a player. But teams would not put all their marbles on him come the postseason. Per Sideline Sources, another reason why Simmons’ value plummeted is his failure to fit with another superstar, Joel Embiid.
As the season went on and teams got a better idea of their strengths and weaknesses, Simmons was linked with several players and teams. It is challenging to keep track of every single one at this point. After all, almost every single NBA team, star player, and role player have been inserted in the rumor mill.
From the beginning and up until now, rumors have remained rumors. Perhaps this is a convincing fact that Simmons will remain a 76er. Whether or not he plays and steps onto the hardcourt is another question. Eventually, he will run out of excuses — and money — to the point that he won't have a choice but play.