PHILADELPHIA — Ben Simmons‘ future hangs over the Sixers’ franchise and the organization has clearly set a high asking price for the former No. 1 overall pick. The team is looking for an All-Star back in exchange for Simmons and waiting out the market may be the best way to accomplish that goal.
Simmons and his agent Rich Paul are “in step” with the Sixers’ efforts to trade the 25-year-old and all around, there’s no immediate timeline on a trade, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter). Discussions between Philadelphia and other teams could continue through the summer.
There’s a sense around the league that the Sixers will need to slightly lower their asking price if they are going to pull off a Simmons deal. The team asked for four first-rounders, three pick swaps, and a young player in talks with the Spurs for Simmons, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor (podcast link). Philadelphia reportedly wanted Kyle Lowry (via sign-and-trade), Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and the No. 4 overall pick in Thursday’s draft from the Raptors in exchange for the three-time All-Star.
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- The Heat, Raptors, and Wizards are seen as some of the most likely landing spots for Simmons, according to a recent report by The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Of the three, Toronto makes the most sense as a trade destination, as we detailed earlier today. Miami simply doesn’t have the capability to put together the framework of a deal that makes sense and Washington is in the same boat unless Bradley Beal forces his way out of town (something that sources tell FortyEightMinutes is unlikely at this time).
- Philadelphia has interest in trading for Pacers guard Aaron Holiday, according to Michael Kaskey-Blomain of CBS Sports. It seems likely that the Sixers will bring in reinforcements as they look to upgrade their backcourt rotation and Holiday, who was the No. 23 overall pick in the 2018 draft, would be a nice buy-low option who also provides some upside.
- Don’t be surprised if the Sixers bring in Eric Bledsoe should the veteran guard receive a buyout from the Grizzlies, a source tells FortyEightMinutes. Bledsoe, who was dealt to Memphis in Tuesday’s multi-player Grizzles-Pelicans deal, could provide Philly with an additional play-maker off the bench, something that was missing during the club’s disappointing playoff run.
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