The Sixers are scouring the league in an attempt to trade Ben Simmons. Most recently asking for a major haul from the San Antonio Spurs.
Ben Simmons and the Sixers are parting ways; that’s a foregone conclusion at this point. The real question is where the team will trade him and for what. The San Antonio Spurs were rumored to be very interested in Simmons, and it seems Daryl Morey was very aware of that judging by the recent offer he made them.
According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Sixers recently offered the Spurs a deal centered around Ben Simmons where San Antonio would send back:
…four first-round draft picks, and three pick swaps, and a young player from the Spurs…
Even Sixers fans must admit that’s more than a bit extreme. Much in the same way that Morey’s offer to the Toronto Raptors was considered outrageous, many have felt similar about this reported offer. There’s no word on who the young player from the Spurs was though it likely doesn’t matter.
The two teams may very well reengage on trade talks if the Sixers are willing to bring their offer a little closer to earth. In that case, the young player mentioned may end up mattering. Likely, either Devin Vassell or Keldon Johnson was the player mentioned though Dejonte Murray could certainly still be on the table.
The Sixers seem to be throwing offers out there and seeing what sticks, but there does seem to be a market building. The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported earlier that a Simmons trade was “increasingly likely” and that the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards were leading the pack. While that may be the case, it certainly doesn’t rule the Spurs out of future Ben Simmons trade talks.
It’s a great thing that Daryl Morey is valuing Simmons so high. If he were to value him as low as many common fans do, then we’d be looking at Buddy Hield, and Mavin Bagley instead of the haul Simmons rightly should bring the Sixers. That being said, Morey certainly needs to make some more realistic offers if he is actually going to move Simmons. With Simmons and his agent, Rich Paul being “in step” with the Sixers’ desire to trade him, expect a move to happen soon. Again, as long as Morey is realistic.
