NBA Draft 2021: Mock draft, big board, full Sixers guide

Sixers draft: Will Ben Simmons get traded on draft night?

Right now, the odds are slim. If Bradley Beal demands a trade, then that would represent the likeliest chance of a Simmons trade on or before Thursday night. While there would surely be other teams in the running, it’s difficult to see the likes of Boston, Miami, and Golden State beating an offer built around Ben Simmons and draft capital.

If Beal decides to stay put, then a Simmons trade would likely get put off until later in the preseason, or even the trade deadline. The Sixers want another All-Star in return, and would likely rebuff packages built around lottery picks and role players. Teams like Toronto (No. 4) and Sacramento (No. 9) have rumored interest, but not necessarily the best package to satisfy Philadelphia’s current wants.

That said, never say never. Reports so far suggest that teams have been actively lowballing the Sixers. If negotiations get more serious around draft time, and a team puts forth a respectable offer to capture Morey’s attention, then a trade could happen. At some point, the bidding war will reach a boiling point, and the asking price will rise to its appropriate level. Simmons is a three-time All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year candidate — teams will give up a lot to acquire him.

Even the Sixers, who do want to contend, cannot ignore the appeal of a lottery pick. If the Raptors are willing to deal No. 4 in a trade for Simmons, then the Sixers would theoretically get Jalen Suggs — an elite point guard prospect who would help Philadelphia right away, if not quite at the level Simmons does. Davion Mitchell, Josh Giddey, James Bouknight and Franz Wagner would all give the Sixers an immediate boost.

It feels like Toronto is the team to watch right now. Toronto and Washington. If anything happens on draft night, or before then, expect at least one of those two teams to be involved.