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The Ben Simmons trade rumors aren't slowing down anytime soon, even though it looks like the Philadelphia 76ers are in no rush to trade the All-Star. There are teams with “varying degrees of interest” in Simmons, but the Sixers' asking price is exorbitant right now. This despite rumors of Simmons effectively ghosting the organization.
Danny Green has actually talked to Simmons this offseason, though it was back around the Fourth of July and they haven't been in touch since. The veteran guard thinks Simmons needed space and is planning to reach back out to him again soon:
Danny Green said he texted Ben Simmons around the Fourth of July (said Ben isn’t a big texter). Said it’s mostly because Danny has had a lot going on with wedding planning and free agency. Said when he gets settled, he plans to reach back out to Simmons again.
— Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) August 12, 2021
Danny Green said he felt like Ben Simmons needed some space with everything happening. Said he hopes Simmons was able to heal mentally and that they’ll be able to get together soon.
— Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) August 12, 2021
The way Green is talking, it seems he expect the Sixers to be running it back with the starting lineup that dominated during the regular season in 2020-21:
Danny Green said he definitely feels like the Sixers have unfinished business. Said it was just a matter of figuring out what the roster was going to look like and what the market was before he re-signed.
— Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) August 12, 2021
Sixers president Daryl Morey hinted at this as well after Green decided to re-sign with the team. Philly's five-man lineup of Simmons, Green, Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Seth Curry was one of the best units in the league.
Unfortunately, things just didn't go Philly's way in the playoffs. Aside from Simmons' much-publicized crunch-time failures, Embiid was playing on a torn meniscus and wasn't quite as effective as usual. The Sixers could very well think that with a few other things going their way, they could break through in 2021-22.
On the other hand, there has been so much smoke about a Simmons trade that it feels crazy to bring him back. There's reporting out there suggesting he wants out and is willing to go to great lengths to force a trade.
As always, stay tuned.
