Why Ben Simmons probably won’t get traded to the Kings
According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers currently have a list of 30 names that would interest them in a Ben Simmons trade. All signs point to Daryl Morey holding out hope for a true blockbuster, with names like James Harden, Damian Lillard, and Bradley Beal at the forefront of his imagination.
If any Sacramento player were to crack the vaunted “list” of 30 names, it’s probably De’Aaron Fox. That said, with the ascent of Tyrese Maxey, it’s hard to imagine Morey getting excited about a small point guard who’s shooting 24.4 percent from deep and posting a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Meanwhile, Haliburton just doesn’t have the star-level cachet that Simmons does, even if he’s a supremely useful young talent with room to grow.
The Sixers probably have bigger fish to fry, at least in the mind of Daryl Morey. There is no evident conclusion in sight, and all reports indicate that Philadelphia is willing to let this drag out all season. The Sixers only have one crack at trading Ben Simmons, and the success of the team this season (when healthy) probably hasn’t made Morey any less patient.
You can also look at it from Sacramento’s perspective. The organization is in shambles, and while yes, Ben Simmons is a star-level talent, he’s also not a leader. The Kings are in the middle of a culture crisis, and it’s fair to question if Simmons is the foundation upon which you build a sustainable locker room. The mood around the team is not great, but Fox and Haliburton are leaders. They are players you can rally around. Simmons is quiet and passive. That’s not necessarily a problem, but he’s not the heart and soul of a team. Fox and Haliburton are.