Ever since his atrocious collapse in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Ben Simmons has been linked to a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. While the front office has explored numerous different packages for the Aussie, nothing has materialized and he still remains with the Sixers.
Simmons himself clearly wants out and has even threatened to hold out of training camp until he's shipped out of town. But, Daryl Morey clearly wants a lot in return for Ben Simmons, which even resulted in the Golden State Warriors hanging up the phone on him because of his preposterous demands.
There's no doubting that Ben Simmons' trade value has plummeted after a disappointing conclusion to last season. But, Morey is the type of president who goes for it all. That said, Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard are his main targets. To be frank, neither of those players are coming to the Sixers anytime soon. While the Minnesota Timberwolves have been the most likely team to acquire Ben Simmons in a blockbuster deal, they don't have enough pieces that would excite Philly in a trade for Simmons.
At this point, it really does seem like Ben Simmons is going to remain with Philadelphia. Fans probably won't be pleased with that scenario because of just how poor he's been. The 25-year-old is a hopeless shooter; that reality showed its ugly teeth in the postseason. However, despite his struggles, Simmons is a phenomenal defender and playmaker. Who else in the NBA can guard all five positions on the floor? Simmons is capable of that because of his unique combination of size, strength and athleticism. He's also been working tirelessly this offseason to improve his game, most specifically his shooting.
I'm not saying that Ben Simmons won't ultimately get traded at some point. Yet, given how things are shaping up, it's not going to be this offseason. Morey wants a bonafide superstar in return and Lillard has committed to Portland for the time being. Beal is also the centerpiece with the Wizards, and they also just brought in some exciting pieces from the Lakers to surround him. If things go astray for either player this season with their respective organizations, then something could happen next summer. You can't put anything past Morey, who will fight tooth and nail to build a legitimate squad around franchise star Joel Embiid.
The Sixers have every right to want a huge package in return Simmons. After all, he was a first overall pick and still has massive potential. 2020-21 was simply a down campaign for him, but we do know what he brings to the table on both ends of the floor. Sure, Simmons might not be the answer for the Sixers' championship aspirations, but when it comes to this season, it's becoming more and more likely that Ben Simmons remains in a Sixers uniform until another star becomes available for Philly to target. If Simmons does ultimately resolve the situation with the team and produce an impressive season, he could end up staying for good. Only time will tell.
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