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It’s now just a matter of time before the Philadelphia 76ers pull off a blockbuster Ben Simmons trade. The All-Star and his camp now believe that a change of scenery is best for the enigmatic veteran leading up to the 2021 NBA Draft Thursday evening.
According to this note from NBA reporter Jason Dumas, Philadelphia hopes to move off Simmons during the annual event in Brooklyn.
“The Sixers hope to trade Ben Simmons tonight. The asking price remains the same. The relationship seems to be over. It’s not a matter of if anymore, but when,” Dumas reported.
Rumors have persisted since Philadelphia’s premature exit in the 2021 NBA Playoffs that front office head Daryl Morey is dead set on moving Simmons. The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year finalist’s performance in the postseason added another layer to this.
Philadelphia 76ers asking price in Ben Simmons trade
The question now becomes whether Morey’s asking price is something other teams are going to be willing to meet. As of right now, this seems rather unlikely.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier in the week that Philadelphia is demanding a James Harden-type return for Ben Simmons. That is to say, three first-round picks, multiple pick swaps and a combination of young players. Other reports suggest that the 76ers want an All-Star player and multiple first-round selections.
Right now, it seems that the Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards are at the front of the line when it comes to a potential trade for Simmons. However, Miami’s interest could very well have been overstated by Philadelphia’s brass as a way to create a bidding war for the point guard.
Regardless, the 76ers will likely have to lower their asking price if they hope to pull off a Ben Simmons trade during the NBA Draft Thursday evening. No sane front office is going to meet the aforementioned bounty request. That’s for sure.