For months now, the basketball community has been asking itself one question. What is going to happen between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers?

Since the Sixers dropped game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Atlanta Hawks, things have been dicey between the team and one of their franchise cornerstones. Shortly after the loss, the national media began speculating if it was time for Philly to move on from the former number one pick.

Throughout the summer, the stalemate between player and team only worsened. Simmons and his camp formally requested a trade, but Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has not been eager to grant that request.

At this point, it's abundantly clear Ben Simmons has no intentions of ever taking the floor again for the Sixers. Even though he ended his holdout in the preseason, the 25-year-old hasn't come close to suiting up for a game. He stated he is not mentally ready to re-join his teammates on the court, and the Sixers continue to provide all the resources they can to help Simmons get the help he needs.

This has dragged on for about five months now, and there is still no end in sight. That being said, there is one important date that will be the deciding moment of how this saga will play out.

The NBA trade deadline is always one of the most hectic days of the season. Contenders spend all day on the phone in an attempt to bolster one last time. This year, it will also be an ultimatum for Morey and the Sixers.

When the deadline comes, Morey will have a tough decision on his hands. Either trade Ben Simmons for whatever he can before the playoffs or keep him on the roster into the offseason. Based on how things have gone thus far, it is leaning more towards the latter.

The Sixers are a team looking to compete for a title right now. Joel Embiid is in the prime of his career, and Morey is not looking to waste it. Because of this, he has his sights set on a high-level player to exchange for the disgruntled All-Star. On the other hand, keeping Simmons through the deadline could mean wasting an opportunity to strike with Embiid at his apex.

Before the team was hit hard by health and safety protocol, they were atop the Eastern Conference. Multiple players have taken on more, and the Sixers look now look much deeper. Not to mention, Tyrese Maxey is playing at a near All-Star level as the full-time starting point guard.

Seeing how well the team performed to open the year might have caused a paradigm shift. Also, it could play a role in Morey selling lower on Ben Simmons and getting a deal done. Adding any form of complementing talent to this roster when fully healthy could help them compete in the Eastern Conference.

It still feels unlikely Morey comes down from his high asking price, but it will continue to be discussed as the season progresses. While the end of this saga appears nowhere in sight, this season's trade deadline will be a make-or-break moment.