Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons trade rumors should heat up once again after Shams Charania of The Athletic name-dropped the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks as among the teams showing interest in acquiring the embattled guard-forward from the Sixers.

The 76ers are ramping up their efforts to spark multi-team trade scenarios to move Simmons, sources said, and a fresh pool of teams has emerged as potential destinations.

The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams interested in Simmons, sources said, although it’s unclear how much traction Philadelphia truly has on any move.

A Simmons trade has always been seen as a possibility by most observers. He has yet to play a game this season, citing his mental unpreparedness to re-join the Sixers. Shipping Simmons, however, is not going to be easy. While he's still just 25, he has a huge contract that would pay him at least 35 million each season from 2022-23 to the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

The Lakers and the Knicks have not been winning games consistently this season, and adding someone like Simmons, assuming he is ready to play for his landing-spot team in the case of the trade, could be the shot in the arm any of those franchises need.