Sixers: Ranking the most likely Ben Simmons trade destinations

Sixers: Ranking the most likely Ben Simmons trade destinations

.     .     . THE NOT-SO-FAVORITES

10. Houston Rockets

Where there was once buzz, there is now deafening silence. There’s no real hurry to build a contender in Houston. Simmons is only 25 and can absolutely serve as the pillar of a rebuild, but the Rockets are playing the long long game right now. Jalen Green is the centerpiece there, and it’s likely Houston will get even worse before they get better. Plus, the Sixers don’t want a bunch of picks. That much is clear.

9. Oklahoma City Thunder

There has been some surprising Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chatter lately, and the young guard’s inefficient offensive campaign could mean he’s more “available” than initially expected. But there’s no surface-level reason for OKC to prefer Simmons over Gilgeous-Alexander long term, and even if OKC were to trade SGA, it would probably be a three-team deal that delivers them another boatload of picks, and Simmons to a desperate contender.

8. Toronto Raptors

Few teams were more involved in Simmons talks over the summer than Toronto. There was genuine anticipation about a potential move. Now, that feels less likely. Are Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet really the stars Philly is on the lookout for? Does OG Anunoby and his long injury resumé pique Morey’s interest? Then, from Toronto’s end, you have Scottie Barnes looking quite special in a role that would egregiously overlap with Simmons’ skill set.