In the 2021 playoffs, Ben Simmons suffered the worst stretch of his entire career, leading to criticism and blame from all corners of the NBA community.
What ensued was a trade demand by Ben that is still ongoing today.
With Ben Simmons determined to not suit up for the 76ers again, trade conversations appear to be heating up between team President Daryl Morey and the rest of the NBA.
In a tweet published Friday by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, conversations have been ‘gaining momentum’ as interested parties engage in negotiations.
Nevertheless, the Sixers are becoming more engaged on multiple fronts in talks centered on Simmons. Philadelphia has been aggressively trying to assemble two- and three-team deal structures to land a package that would include a top 25-level player, sources said.
Much of the increased momentum centers on Wednesday, when many players signed in the offseason as free agents become eligible to be traded. Starting Dec. 15, 84% of the 446 players under contract can be included in deals. Currently, 65% of the league’s players are eligible.
The Sixers have long targeted Lillard, who reaffirmed his desire to stay in Portland around the start of the team’s training camp. After the recent firing of president of basketball operations Neil Olshey, Cronin has publicly and privately said the franchise plans to keep building around Lillard. The Blazers have been open to discussing a deal for Simmons centered on guard CJ McCollum, but that conversation never gathered traction, sources said.
ESPN reporting with @ZachLowe_NBA: Philadelphia's trade conversations on Ben Simmons gathering momentum in recent days. More teams engaged, more two and three-way deal structure talks ongoing as 76ers try to land a Top 25 player for Simmons.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 10, 2021
Despite losing out on Damian Lillard, the 76ers remain locked in on acquiring a top-tier talent to pair alongside Joel Embiid.
So far, names like Bradley Beal, Kyrie Irving, and Jaylen Brown have been floated as potential targets, but it remains unknown who the Sixers will ultimately get in the end
Amid the Ben Simmons drama, the Sixers have been struggling to maintain a top position in the East. 5-5 in their last 10 games, they’re just 7th in the standings with a 14-12 record overall.
