Ben Simmons is quite the paradox in Philadelphia. The guard has made himself a cornerstone of the Sixers with his defense and playmaking abilities. And still, five years into his NBA career, he has still not developed a shot – at all. Now, it seems, Philadelphia is willing to see if the grass really is greener.
Shams Charania and Pat Garrity recently spoke on Inside the Association regarding the trade market for Simmons, saying “the writing is on the wall.” They also added that the Sixers are looking to get an “All-Star caliber player” in return.
What's the trade market for Ben Simmons look like?@ShamsCharania and @PatGarrity8 give their thoughts. pic.twitter.com/UE6GR9gUwI
— Stadium (@Stadium) July 15, 2021
Following a horrendous playoff series against the Hawks, where he only managed 9.9 points per game, Philly has had to seriously reevaluate their roster. “The Process”, as the Sixers have championed over the past eight years, has brought them young talent in droves. They haven't short-handed themselves in acquisitions either, having traded for Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris in 2019. Despite all this, Philly has yet to make the Finals even once.
All of this is not to say that Ben Simmons is a horrible player. After all, he's a 3x All-Star on two All-Defensive First Teams. The Aussie would be a welcome addition to nearly any team around the league. Particularly, franchises in need of facilitators and defense. He's been linked to the Sacremento Kings, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Indiana Pacers, among many others. It's easy to see the market for Simmons is quite fruitful.
Whether Ben Simmons can truly turn the corner on his career remains to be seen. Having been under the spotlight in Philly for so long, a change of scenery could help the 25 year-old reach his true potential. For the Sixers, however, they may just be looking for the biggest jackpot on the market.
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