Trade season is just about underway in the NBA, as most teams have had a proper amount of time to gauge themselves. No surprise at all, one of the hottest names on the market right now is Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons. The 25-year-old has yet to suit up in a game this season, seemingly guaranteeing he will be on the move.

Rumors regarding the former No. 1 pick came to a screeching halt once the regular season began but are now back in full swing. News has come out almost daily as Dec. 15 hits. From here, all players who signed deals in the offseason can be aggregated in trades.

Sixers president Daryl Morey has stood his ground through all this. Never once has the longtime executive even come close to making a panic move involving the disgruntled All-Star. His stance has remained the same from the beginning, and it doesn't look to be changing anytime soon.

Morey never wavering from his asking price has been a catalyst to this saga for dragging on as long as it has. At the end of the day, Simmons is still an All-Star-caliber player on a long-term contract and getting ready to enter his prime. The Sixers' front office is not selling low on a player with such a resume, no matter how ugly things might unravel.

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Until a team is willing to put a high-level player on the table for Simmons, he is likely to remain in Philadelphia. That being said, there's a chance the trade deadline could come and go without a trade happening.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has been the top name on Morey's wishlist. While it seems apparent he is not requesting a trade anytime soon, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report stated teams are optimistic he could ask out as early as next season. A player of Lillard's caliber is exactly what Morey is eyeing in a potential partner for Joel Embiid as he enters his prime.

There are also two other situations Morey is sure to be keeping tabs on. Those being that of Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal and James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets. Neither player has signed an extension yet and could hit the open market. If that were the case, Morey would be first in line trying to coordinate a sign-and-trade for Simmons.

It is still way too soon to tell, but signs are pointing toward this saga dragging on into this upcoming offseason. With a plethora of elite-level players possibly on the move, Morey is going to do his due diligence.

What the Sixers get in return for Simmons will drastically impact their ability to contend for a championship in the coming years. Morey has just one chance to get this right. Knowing this, he will remain patient and explore every possible avenue before finally making his move.