Sixers: Knicks and Lakers join the Ben Simmons fray

Trade talks surrounding Ben Simmons have accelerated in recent days, with Dec. 15 serving as an important date in the ongoing saga. On Wednesday, most players who signed new contracts over the summer become trade eligible, opening up previously unavailable avenues for Daryl Morey and the Sixers‘ front office.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sixers are exploring two- and three-team deal structures, with Portland’s Damian Lillard unsurprisingly off the table. Now, we have a new report from The Athletic and Shams Charania, shining new light on the evolving circumstances around Simmons.

Per Shams, the Sixers have engaged with multiple teams lately, including the Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Kings, Trail Blazers, Pacers, and — most unexpectedly — the Lakers and Knicks.

The Knicks and Lakers have expressed trade interest in Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons.

Of the teams listed, New York and LA are newcomers. We haven’t heard much mention of them in the Simmons saga up until this point, but with desperation growing for both franchises, it comes as little shock for both to seek foundational changes.

Now, the path to getting Simmons to New York or LA (as much as I’m sure he’d love to be there) is murky. The Lakers have three max-level players who, for one reason or another, serve as non-starters in any Simmons negotiations. The Knicks have more financial flexibility on the surface, but Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett aren’t exactly making Morey sprint to the phone.

It’s safe to assume any Knicks or Lakers trade would involve a third (or maybe even fourth) team, with neither possessing the surface-level assets to tempt Philadelphia. The Lakers essentially can’t make it work salary-wise unless LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, or Anthony Davis are involved. Morey isn’t trading for Westbrook again. The Knicks would probably have to help the Sixers find another All-Star, perhaps by moving Julius Randle or R.J. Barrett to a third team.

Teams who aren’t explicitly mentioned by Shams, such as San Antonio, will no doubt have lingering interest in Simmons too. It’s shaping up to be a robust trade market for the three-time All-Star, even if Morey’s high asking price is a hurdle yet to be cleared. We can safely expect more noise on the Simmons front between now and the February trade deadline.