The Sacramento Kings have been one of the most frequently discussed teams as the NBA trade deadline approaches. Ben Simmons has been the most frequently discussed trade target for the past six months despite the Philadelphia 76ers' stance on not moving him just for the sake of it. It seemed for a while that the two sides were on a collision course.
Now, there doesn't seem to be any more momentum that could carry Simmons to Sacramento. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Kings are out on Simmons due to Philadelphia's absorbent asking prices.
ESPN Sources: The Sacramento Kings – one of the most aggressive teams in the market and once an eager suitor for Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons – have ended pursuit of a deal with the 76ers and turned elsewhere in trade talks. Story soon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2022
The Sixers' saga with Simmons has dragged out painfully for months now with no end in sight. With Simmons under contract through 2025, this ordeal could take a while. But the demand for Simmons shrinks with every passing opportunity to trade him.
The Kings stopping their pursuit of Simmons says a lot about how willing Philadelphia is to drag this out and how steep their asking price is. Wojnarowski reported that the Kings are hellbent on making moves to improve the roster. De'Aaron Fox may even be available for trade, though it seems like he won't be moved for Simmons now.
Sacramento could be using this report as a way to gauge the trade market for Simmons and swing it in their favor. Late developments happen in trade talks. The Kings are intimately familiar with this, as they traded DeMarcus Cousins two weeks after saying they wouldn't during the 2016-17 season. An unforeseen change in the Sixers' mind could reignite talks. As it stands, though, the Kings won't be adding Simmons ahead of the trade deadline.
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