It seems like every day we hear a new Ben Simmons trade rumor. It has been reported by Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee that the Sacramento Kings have expressed interest in trading for the once beloved Sixer.
Anderson goes on to report that Kings’ general manager Monte McNair is under pressure and wants to make a “major move” to help get the Kings back in playoff contention. Trading for Simmons could help push up the development timeline of the Kings and get them into playoff conversations, especially with the play-in tournament returning.
The Kings could trade for Ben Simmons, but It may take more than what they are willing to offer. Daryl Morey and the Sixers wouldn’t consider trading Simmons to Sacramento unless a player like De’Aaron Fox was included in a deal. It was rumored that the Kings previously offered a package centered around Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley III, and draft compensation and the Sixers declined.
The 76ers would probably be more interested in a package that would include De’Aaron Fox, Mo Harkless, Terence Davis, and 3 future first round picks for Ben Simmons. The specifics of what players would be included in the deal could change but it would have to be centered around Fox or Morey would hang up the phone.
Sacramento could also be a partner in a three-team deal that could land Damian Lillard in Philadelphia, Ben Simmons in Sacramento, and picks and young assets in Portland. It has been reported that Simmons “prefers” a California team and if Portland is not interested in Simmons, they could still get a haul for Lillard.
In a three-team trade scenario, the Sixers and Kings get the player they covet, and the Trailblazers get young assets and picks to start a rebuild or package to trade for another star down the road.
If the Kings are truly interested in Ben Simmons, they better act fast because the Sixers are reportedly chasing Damian Lillard and if another California team (The Warriors), could help facilitate a three-team deal, the Kings will be left out in the cold.
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