NBA stars are often known to be outspoken when it comes to calling things out and Kyle Kuzma is certainly no stranger to speaking his mind. This time, the latest rumors regarding Philadelphia’s plans for Ben Simmons have caught his eye and Kuz took to Twitter to say exactly what he thinks about the idea.
According to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears and Brian Windhorst, the Sixers want to package Tobias Harris in with Ben Simmons as they look for potential trade partners to take the Australian guard off their hands. This is reportedly so they can clear space to make a run for James Harden who could potentially be out of contract at the end of this season.
Whatever anyone else may think of the potential trade, Kuzma didn’t hold back in his assessment, questioning how they would be able to trade two players that are both on long-term max contracts.
How the hell you package 80ms 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/b6JSM2KIut
— kuz (@kylekuzma) January 11, 2022
“How the hell you package 80ms (millions)”
Simmons signed a 5 year/$177 million dollar contract extension that began last season which runs through to the end of the 2024-25 season and would see him earn over $40 million in the final year of the deal. Harris is set to earn a similarly massive number after his own 5 year/180 million dollar contract that will net him $39 million in the final year of that deal.
Unless teams are certain that they can move either of the two players or a third team is involved in the trade, taking on what would be a minimum of $70 million and maximum of $80 million in combined salary is a tough ask. Kuzma isn’t wrong when he points out that a trade package this size is nearly impossible to include in the same deal.
If a deal like this were to occur, it would go down as one of the largest moves in terms of combined salary being traded in the history of the NBA. Simmons has continued his refusal to suit up for the Sixers and Harris has also been unable to match expectations, so a move does make sense if it can actually be managed.
