Sixers rumors: Toronto rejects godfather Ben Simmons offer

The Ben Simmons trade rumors are heating up, and it seems more and more likely that a trade will occur before the regular season. No team has been more forcefully tied to Simmons than Toronto. After a disappointing season, the Raptors are looking at a future beyond Kyle Lowry. Simmons could, in theory, be the guy to lead the next generation.

According to Matt Moore of Action Network, the Raptors and Sixers have held conversations about Simmons. While there is no trade imminent, and other teams no doubt have interest in Simmons, the Raptors appear to be the team to watch.

In Moore’s report, he lays out a framework that Toronto was offered, but turned down. The Sixers proposed a trade of Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and the No. 4 pick in exchange for Simmons. That gives us a good sense of how Daryl Morey views Ben Simmons, but Toronto’s’ refusal comes as no surprise.

Sixers rumors: Philadelphia made a godfather Ben Simmons offer to the Toronto Raptors, which was ultimately declined. Can the two sides come together on a deal?

The Sixers clearly want an All-Star in return, or a package comparable in value to a bonafide All-Star. That package from Toronto would certainly meet the criteria. Lowry is a six-time All-Star and NBA champion, while Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and the No. 4 pick are all tremendous NBA players (we can assume the No. 4 pick would turn into Jalen Suggs).

Toronto’s counter-offers will probably just break apart Morey’s initial proposal. How about Fred VanVleet and the No. 4 pick, which would give the Sixers a fascinating new backcourt to complement Joel Embiid. Or Kyle Lowry and OG Anunoby, a proven veteran and one of the NBA’s premier wing defenders.

Asking for four of Toronto’s top-five assets clearly will not work, but this could indicate where Simmons’ value is league-wide. If a team truly wants the 6-foot-10 point guard, who has an accomplished résumé at just 25 years old, it will take more than a penny and some bubblegum to land him via trade.

On the surface, Toronto does not have one individual player good enough to compensate for Simmons’ value in a trade. Lowry is great, VanVleet is great, Pascal Siakam is great — but it will ultimately require a collection of pieces from Toronto, albeit not one as sprawling as the rejected offer in Moore’s report.

It is also worth noting the circumstances of Kyle Lowry’s involvement in these rumors. He is an unrestricted free agent who can, in theory, sign with any team for any amount of money. The Sixers would require a sign-and-trade, which means this particular framework would only suffice if Lowry were to freely choose Philadelphia.

On that note, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer threw out a fascinating nugget in a recent appearance on the Laker Central Podcast. He made an educated guess (not a report) that Lowry’s preference is Philadelphia, where he has a close relationship to Daryl Morey, who brought him to Houston once upon a time. Lowry is notably a Philly native and Villanova alum.

Back to Moore, he also threw out an interesting hypothetical, which league sources have reportedly been spitballing in advance of Thursday’s NBA Draft. If Bradley Beal were to ask out, then a three-team trade could come to fruition. A core framework of Beal to Philadelphia, Simmons to Toronto, and the No. 4 pick (with other stuff) to Washington could make a lot of sense. That is a situation to monitor if Beal does end up requesting a trade.

A lot can happen between now and Thursday. Buckle up and hold tight!