Ben Simmons has been heavily criticized after his performances in the playoffs, especially by 76ers fans. Many have suggested that he should be traded to give him and his team a new start. However, even though he’s had a bad playoff run this season, Ben Simmons can still bring a lot of value for a team. Even if his value is lower after this season, he is still commanding a lot of trade interest around the league.
Despite all the teams interested in Ben Simmons thus far, the Philadelphia 76ers have not been able to find a trade partner. Part of that could be the high valuation the Philadelphia 76ers have of Ben Simmons. Adrian Wojnarowski has recently reported that the 76ers want a huge package for the 3-time All-Star, similar to the haul that the Houston Rockets ended up getting in the James Harden trade.
Woj on what Philly is initially asking for Ben Simmons;
“They are asking for a lot, almost a Harden-Esque type package of All-Star player, Draft Picks, Pick Swaps.”
(via “The Jump”) pic.twitter.com/4BTGRHVR1f
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 28, 2021
While it is likely that there are teams that are interested in Ben Simmons, it seems as though the cost of acquiring him could be very prohibitive. The Golden State Warriors were a team that reportedly was unwilling to give up a huge package to acquire Ben Simmons. It remains to be seen if the 76ers get the haul they desire for Ben Simmons, but there are definitely teams that think that the asking price is too much. However, it is possible that the 76ers would take a smaller offer as the offseason goes on, and trade talks do continue even after the NBA Draft, all the way until the trade deadline.
It is clear that Ben Simmons is still a good player, even with his scoring woes. Though it is unclear if he will reach his potential, one can see the type of player he could become in the future. Hopefully, Ben Simmons can prove his haters wrong, whether with the 76ers or otherwise.
