Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers don’t want anything to do with each other. Daryl Morey has inquired and reached out to multiple NBA teams about a potential trade but there have been no takers so far.
And that doesn’t have anything to do with Simmons’ skills as a player. It’s just that Morey is asking way too much (as he should) for a player that clearly wants to be traded. As of now, neither he nor the Sixers have any leverage in trade talks.
That was in full display right before the NBA Draft. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Sixers’ GM reached out to the Golden State Warriors with absurd demands for Simmons, forcing them to pretty much hang up the phone on him.
NBA News: Warriors Hung Up On Daryl Morey Over Delusional Trade Proposal For Ben Simmons
“The Warriors were among the teams Daryl Morey called during his initial round of over-the-top inquiries. That came before the draft. As has been reported, he asked for a package of Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, the seventh and 14th picks and two future first-rounders. There was never bargaining. There was only a decline and a hang up,” reported Slater.
“Neither side has circled back. Morey certainly might at some point in September. The situation in Philadelphia is only getting more tense as the season creeps closer. If the Sixers slash their asking price significantly, it could warrant deeper discussion within the Warriors, from ownership to Bob Myers’ staff on down to the opinionated and involved coaches and veteran players,” he added.
In a normal situation, that’s what it would take to get Simmons. He’s 23 years old, a former first-overall pick, and the team that gets him will be in control of his contract for years to come. We get that.
The problem is that Simmons is coming off an epic meltdown in the playoffs and his trade value hit rock bottom with the reports of his desire to leave the team. Right now, it seems like either Morey will have to meet someone in the middle, or Simmons and the Sixers will be stuck with each other.
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