This Ben Simmons saga between the player and the Philadelphia 76ers has dragged on for too long for most who fall the Sixers and the NBA as a whole. Could the 76ers make a trade today to deal the disgruntled All-Star, but it’s clear that they aren’t just gonna make any ole trade involving Simmons.
The last two times that Philly’s president of basketball operation Daryl Morey spoke on the Simmons situation, he’s set the narrative that fans should be prepared this sage going beyond this trade deadline (potential four years, per Noah Levick of NBCSPhilly). That’s fair, but is the main thing that is stopping a trade team’s unwillingness to give fair value or Morey’s stubbornness?
Is the Sixers’ Morey his own worse enemy in this Simmons saga?
In the most recent interview that Morey had done, he had indicated that the 76ers are open to any top-40 player for Simmons. However, is Morey being too unrealistic in Simmons’ value on the market?
Last seen, Simmons was choking in the worst way in the second round against the Atlanta Hawks. Since then, Simmons has refused to show up for his team, asked to be traded, and has used every excuse in the book, including mental health, to why he hasn’t played for the Sixers.
Despite being an All-Defensive player and a three-time All-Star, Simmons’ value is well below what he can actually do as a player. Yet, Morey’s price is still so high that the Sacramento Kings have recently withdrawn from Simmons trade talks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The only way for Morey to get what he wants in a Simmons trade is if he plays again and Simmons’ side has made it clear that he won’t play for the team. That being written, Morey needs to come to that reality that won’t happen, at least not this season and it might not happen next season if this gets drawn out that long.
Morey’s been making the right moves up to this point, but losing a potential trade partner in Sacramento is a big blow. He needs to be careful about overestimating Simmons’ trade value moving forward or he will become his own worst enemy in trying to get the Sixers good value in a Simmons deal.