It's quite alarming to think that we're already approaching the halfway point of the season and yet Ben Simmons has not played a single minute for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2021/22. As it is, it sounds like the Sixers are far from finding a resolution with Simmons' camp. Heck, even Kyrie Irving is set to return to action for the Brooklyn Nets, and yet Simmons remains on the sidelines.

The good news for Sixers fans is that a solution appears to be forthcoming. According to NBA insider John Hollinger of The Athletic, the general belief within the NBA is that Philly intends to make their move on Ben Simmons right at the February trade deadline:

Despite the Sixers’ bluster to the contrary, the consensus opinion around the league remains that Philadelphia is more likely to act at the trade deadline than carry this all the way through ’til next summer, so as to avoid punting on a year of Joel Embiid’s prime. The counterargument is that the Sixers, as presently constituted, have been unimpressive enough that it might not hurt much to wait.

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It's no secret that the Sixers have been trying to trade Simmons and that their unreasonable price tag on the former Rookie of the Year has been the biggest stumbling block in any potential deal. Based on the above report, however, it does sound like Philly will be willing to drop their price a bit just to be able to see a deal through. Several teams have already been linked to Simmons over the past several months, and this bit of news could reignite their interest in the All-Star point guard.

Philly fans will be glad to know that all the Ben Simmons drama could be coming to its long-awaited conclusion. The Sixers probably won't get the players they initially wanted in exchange for their want-away star (read: no Damian Lillard) but at least they'd finally get this thorn out of their side.

It goes without saying that the Sixers are going to be one of the most intriguing teams to watch in the next couple of months as the February trade deadline draws closer.