CoolBreeze44 wrote:Here is a new report from Shams in the Athletic today:
The 76ers opened up trade conversations around Simmons, the three-time All-Star, in July, but so far their conversations have not reached the cusp of a deal. Philadelphia has conducted expansive discussions with several teams, including Minnesota and Toronto, but neither a Timberwolves package nor the Raptors' proposals have appealed to the 76ers as of yet. Philadelphia has set a high price threshold for teams to meet in talks for Simmons thus far.
So far, Simmons' situation remains the same. While the 76ers have told teams they are comfortable bringing Simmons back for the 2021-22 season, rival executives believe it's only a matter of when -- not if -- the All-Defensive team stalwart is moved.
For now, all signs continue to point to Simmons' career in Philadelphia coming to an end.
Simmons was almost moved to the Rocketsalong with Matisse Thybulle and two first-round picks in the James Hardennegotiations, but Houston traded Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. With previous trade talks coming so close to moving Simmons out of Philadelphia -- coupled with the comments of Joel Embiid and Doc Riversto end the 76ers season -- the writing appears to be on the wall.
The Timberwolves have been motivated to find a deal for Simmons but would likely require a third team given their asset pool of Malik Beasley, Jaden McDaniels and D'Angelo Russell might not entice the 76ers.
Philadelphia has its eyes set on Portland All-NBA guard Damian Lillard, sources say, but the Trail Blazers have fully focused on continuing to build around Lillard. As of now, Lillard is continuing to evaluate the Trail Blazers' present and future and is slated to begin training camp with the organization. In some ways, the 76ers are stuck between deciding whether to make a move now with Simmons -- or waiting until a star like Lillard shakes free.
Thanks for posting, Cool. That report rings true. I have no doubt that the Sixers will eventually trade Simmons. The question is whether they're willing to start the season with him and, if so, how far into the season they'd be willing to go with him. Thibodeau took Butler into the season even thought the acrimony was even worse than the discord between Simmons and the Sixers. I'm sure Morey would like to deal Simmons before the seasons begins, but he'll hold out as long as he can for the player he wants. Right now he wants Beal or Lillard, but I think he's settle for Fox. If the season starts and he hasn't been able to swing a deal for any of those three, then he'll have to recalibrate because I agree with Cam that keeping Simmons for a significant portion of the season seems untenable now.
Beal seems entirely off the table at least until next summer and maybe beyond. I think knows that and has his sights set on Lillard. I think he's waiting for Portlant to relent and put Lillard on the table. That seems like a long shot, but I could see Portland potentially putting Lillard on the table. If so, they would appropriately expect substantial additional assets along with Simmons in return. That's the hand Portland has to play if they are interested at all in moving Lillard. Morey is so intent on landing a star PG that I think he'd give Portland a nice return in addition to Simmons. I can also see the Kings eventually agreeing to swap Fox for Simmons, which I think would be a fair straight-up deal for both teams. I suspect that Morey seeks Fox as his fall back even though the Kings have thus far refused to put him on the table.
