The stories coming out of Philadelphia in relation to NBA All-Star Ben Simmons continue to get more and more confusing and now with training camp set to begin next week, the 76ers are running out of time to make a decision on Ben Simmons’ future with the team.
The 3x All-Star has remained vigilant on wanting out of Philadelphia and plans to “hold out” through training camp and possibly into the start of the season, but now the Sixers are saying they want Simmons to return to the team.
Who knows what is actually going to happen, but this has not stopped teams from pursuing Simmons. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers are a few of the teams that have been interested in possibly trading for Ben Simmons, but back near the end of August, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Simmons prefers to go to one of the California teams.
Since the Lakers have no way to trade for Ben Simmons without giving up LeBron James, Anthony Davis or Russell Westbrook, something that is not going to happen, they are out of the running and it seems like the Warriors are out of the running as well, as owner Joe Lacob stated recently that going after Simmons does “not really fit” with what they are building in Golden State.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Everything To Know About Latest Ben Simmons NBA Trade Rumors
As for Sacramento, well… It is Sacramento and they do not really have any valuable assets to offer up that would appease Philadelphia other than De’Aaron Fox, who the Kings have made “untouchable” in trade talks.
That leaves us with just one team left in California.
The LA Clippers.
At first glance, it seems crazy to think that the LA Clippers could possibly trade for Ben Simmons seeing as both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are making $39.3M during the 2021-22 season, and the Clippers are already one of the highest tax-paying teams during the 2021-22 season, but they do have some tradeable contracts in terms of opening up the cap space to bring in Ben Simmons.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Everything To Know About Latest Ben Simmons NBA Trade Rumors
Eric Bledsoe is making $181.M this season, Marcus Morris is making $15.6M, Luke Kennard is making $12.7M and Ivica Zubac is making $7.5M, so any combination of these players could possibly get the deal done. The only questions though are if the 76ers would be interested in any of the Clippers players and if Los Angeles can get another team or two involved in the deal to relinquish assets to the 76ers.
These are really big “ifs” to ask right now and it seems crazy to think that the LA Clippers could pull off a trade for Ben Simmons, but let’s take a look at a scenario that would work cap-wise for all four teams involved.
