Ben Simmons remains the target of strengthening trade talks between the Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia 76ers as part of a six-player swap, the Philly Inquirer reported Wednesday.
According to the report, the Kings upped their offer to include Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes and two first-round picks, with the Sixers sending back Simmons, Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle. However, a source told the newspaper the Sixers wouldn’t make the deal for that package.
Simmons’ representatives met with the team in Philadelphia recently but the sitdown ended with nothing settled and the demand for a trade from the All-Star point guard’s camp remains intact.
Simmons hasn’t played this season and an acrimonious split appears likely given tensions between Simmons, head coach Doc Rivers and 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid. Embiid called Simmons’ position as a holdout a “slap in the face” and declared he’d no longer talk about Simmons or the trade rumors.
Team president Daryl Morey and general manager Elton Brand are reportedly insisting on equal value in any trade, and according to ESPN, the 76ers also upped the asking price by requesting teams take Harris’ hefty contract in return.
–Field Level Media