The Ben Simmons rumors just won’t stop. One team who’s been constantly mentioned is rumored to be re-engaged in talks with the Sixers.
Since the offseason began, the Sixers have been canvassing the league looking for a potential trade partner for Ben Simmons. Rumors have resurfaced that the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers have re-engaged in trade talks for Simmons.
As always, these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt but This is not the first time the Sixers and Warriors have been in discussions around a Simmons trade package. League sources confirmed the Warriors were one of the teams who discussed a trade with the Sixers prior to this year’s NBA Draft. The Sixers reportedly wanted to receive a package including the 7th pick, 14th pick, James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, and future draft considerations. The Warriors declined, and many insiders around agreed that the package would be too much to trade for Simmons.
With the Sixers and Warriors discussing a trade again, the package Philadelphia would be looking for would be similar to the previous one. Draft picks lose their value after the picks are made, so the Sixers may not be as motivated as reported to get the deal done.
The Warriors would not trade Steph Curry or Klay Thompson, so the package would have to be built around Andrew Wiggins. A package based around Wiggins could possibly include rookie Moses Moody, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre (sign and trade), and future draft picks.
The Sixers and Warriors could expand to a three-team trade, including a team like the Portland Trailblazers. A trade could be centered around Ben Simmons, Draymond Green, and CJ McCollum. There have always been discussions around a McCollum/Simmons swap.
There has also been the rumor that the Trailblazers would love to have Green on their roster. With McCollum heading to Philly, Simmons to San Francisco, and Green to Portland, each team gets a player that improves their roster. The specifics of other players and picks would have to be sorted out, with Philadelphia getting much of the haul.
We shall see if the rumored talks lead to the end of the Ben Simmons era in Philadelphia. The Sixers have mostly been at a standstill while they work out a deal for Simmons, and it is affecting how they approach free agency. Ben Simmons will be on the next flight to the Bay Area if the Warriors can give the Sixers what they want in return in the trade.
