Sixers: How to regain trade leverage with Ben Simmons

There is a prevailing notion in the media around the NBA, and with fans around the country, that Ben Simmons and Klutch Sports have the Philadelphia 76ers over a barrel.  They  believe that the holdout demands will force Daryl Morey and the Sixers to unload him for pennies on the dollar and take a huge loss because they hold all the cards.  If the Sixers had to trade him before the season started, that might be true.  But in reality, the only way for the team to regain leverage in their negotiations with other teams and their GMs, is to let Ben Simmons hold out.

“Leverage” is always a matter of perspective.  Simmons has four years left on his contract, so the Sixers should have all of the negotiating leverage but Klutch is trying to gain control of that leverage by sitting out of training camp and forcing a holdout.  In a different situation, with a different team, that might work.  But even in a crowded Eastern Conference, the 76ers will be in the playoff hunt all year barring any major injuries. They are a veteran team with a veteran coach and they will not allow this to become a circus.

The Sixers have every reason to exercise patience as the Ben Simmons trade saga plays out.

Letting Simmons sit out actually works to the Sixers advantage because right now the league believes the team is in a hurry. Allowing some time to pass will show everyone that we don’t mind waiting for the right offer.  After a few weeks go by they can get  back to realistic trade offers.  Morey will lower his offers, teams will counter, and the right deal can be found in the middle.

There is a very human reaction to simply want Simmons gone and to move on without him. To say, “just take whatever you can get”, and get on with the season with players who actually want to be here. But letting anyone cripple the bright future and championship aspirations of the current team would be terribly bad business and Daryl Morey is too experienced and savvy to allow this to happen. Despite his many imperfections and despite how clearly immature Ben Simmons has appeared to be this offseason, this is still a 25-year-old three-time All-Star who is one of the most unique athletic specimens and best defenders in the world. He does not fit next to Embiid, but he could be the cornerstone of a young, up-and-coming team. Simmons showing up and playing the same or playing poorly, while risking injury, does nothing to improve his current trade value.

The best thing for everyone is for him to sit out, possibly even until the February trade deadline. His value might not rise or fall during a holdout but by waiting, they will see what will inevitably happen to all of the other teams.  Another team that is suddenly struggling due to injuries, egos, or just plain old poor play, will suddenly find Ben more appealing and be willing to talk without a gun being held to either team’s head. If history is any indicator, it is inevitable that several teams underachieve.

Most teams have stars in their eyes during the offseason, when a world of possibilities lies before them and the hopes of being the team that surprises in the playoffs can feel like a realistic possibility. Once the season starts and they have to deal with all the other factors that can crop up, like injuries to significant players, clashing egos creating divide in the locker room, angry fans, or simply failure to live up to hype or expectations and suddenly teams will be forced to look around for ways to either improve their squad or hold onto their fan base. And acquiring a strange but intriguing super talent will look far more appealing.

It is unbelievably rare for talented young stars to be available for trade discussions, and everyone in the league will know where to turn when the wheels inevitably fall off of some of these teams. This is particularly true for small market teams who are never able to acquire high profile free agents. A shot at a young potential superstar with four years left on his contract is too great an opportunity for them to not roll the dice, because it could be a decade or more before a chance like this becomes available again. Then, and only then, will we truly be able to receive fair market value for Ben Simmons.

The Sixers and their situation are currently stuck in the mud, but moving Ben now for lesser value would be a mistake. All they have to do is wait for the market to inevitably shift and they will once again be the ones with leverage.  Timing is everything. Don’t mistake the Ben Simmons holdout for a threat to the Sixers, when it actually is an opportunity to regain the leverage that they  do not currently have.