The draft compensation involved in any eventual Simmons trade figures to be a difference-making variable, but the Raptors have the base talent to outbid numerous teams (if they choose) when Philadelphia finally reaches the point that it concedes it is no longer tenable to hold out for a star on Lillard’s or Beal’s level. Rather than pursue a swap centered around Pascal Siakam, it is easier to see Philadelphia trying to push to acquire a rising star capable of replicating Simmons’ versatility — namely OG Anunoby — who can be packaged with a playoff-tested veteran ballhandler to give the Sixers’ backcourt a needed boost (Goran Dragić).
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Ben Simmons described back tightness to several Sixers staff members and was briefly treated for it today, sources tell ESPN. – 2:56 PM
Ben Simmons described back tightness to several Sixers staff members and was briefly treated for it today, sources tell ESPN. – 2:56 PM
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Several former 76ers players spoke to @etanthomas36 about the Ben Simmons situation and playing in Philly.
Theo Ratliff: “If he thought it took a lot of work for his jumpshot, wait until he sees how much work it’s going to take to win [back] Philly fans.” basketballnews.com/stories/former… – 2:53 PM
Several former 76ers players spoke to @etanthomas36 about the Ben Simmons situation and playing in Philly.
Theo Ratliff: “If he thought it took a lot of work for his jumpshot, wait until he sees how much work it’s going to take to win [back] Philly fans.” basketballnews.com/stories/former… – 2:53 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
On Sixers possibly without Ben Simmons, Steve Nash: “You recognize the talent that Ben Simmons brings, offensively with his size, speed, playmaking defensively, obviously a very elite defender. Having said that, they anchor around Joel, have shooting around him, very effective” – 2:31 PM
On Sixers possibly without Ben Simmons, Steve Nash: “You recognize the talent that Ben Simmons brings, offensively with his size, speed, playmaking defensively, obviously a very elite defender. Having said that, they anchor around Joel, have shooting around him, very effective” – 2:31 PM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Jason Kelce taking Ben Simmons to school. #TheRealTreasure pic.twitter.com/DxLJYhuuEa – 1:52 PM
Jason Kelce taking Ben Simmons to school. #TheRealTreasure pic.twitter.com/DxLJYhuuEa – 1:52 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Report: Ben Simmons told 76ers he’s not mentally ready to play nba.nbcsports.com/2021/10/21/rep… – 1:05 PM
Report: Ben Simmons told 76ers he’s not mentally ready to play nba.nbcsports.com/2021/10/21/rep… – 1:05 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: How the #Sixers and #Nets are dealing with the Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving situations as they prepare to meet Friday night on ESPN in the #76ers’ home opener: bit.ly/3AWppjL pic.twitter.com/BMZI9Skica – 12:15 PM
#NBA column: How the #Sixers and #Nets are dealing with the Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving situations as they prepare to meet Friday night on ESPN in the #76ers’ home opener: bit.ly/3AWppjL pic.twitter.com/BMZI9Skica – 12:15 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Eagles center Jason Kelce on the Ben Simmons situation: “Everybody can bitch and complain about how tough this city is to play in. Just play better man, this city will love you.” – 12:09 PM
Eagles center Jason Kelce on the Ben Simmons situation: “Everybody can bitch and complain about how tough this city is to play in. Just play better man, this city will love you.” – 12:09 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
No Ben Simmons drama. Just basketball. Joel Embiid and the team enjoyed some normalcy at least for 1 night. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/21/joe… via @SixersWire #NBA – 11:14 AM
No Ben Simmons drama. Just basketball. Joel Embiid and the team enjoyed some normalcy at least for 1 night. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/21/joe… via @SixersWire #NBA – 11:14 AM
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
🚨🚨🚨NEW EPISODE!🚨🚨🚨
Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show with @Nate Duncan – Our takes on all this week’s extensions, a front office look at the Ben Simmons situation, our top contenders for MVP, and much more.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ext… – 9:34 AM
🚨🚨🚨NEW EPISODE!🚨🚨🚨
Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show with @Nate Duncan – Our takes on all this week’s extensions, a front office look at the Ben Simmons situation, our top contenders for MVP, and much more.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ext… – 9:34 AM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
No practice today for the #Sixers. The Ben Simmons press conference on hold once again… – 8:50 AM
No practice today for the #Sixers. The Ben Simmons press conference on hold once again… – 8:50 AM
Brian Windhorst @WindhorstESPN
After stressful day when Ben Simmons was kicked out of practice and suspended, Sixers regrouped with a team dinner in New Orleans and showed good chemistry in routing Pelicans: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 8:35 AM
After stressful day when Ben Simmons was kicked out of practice and suspended, Sixers regrouped with a team dinner in New Orleans and showed good chemistry in routing Pelicans: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 8:35 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: How the #Sixers and #Nets deal with Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving drama as they meet again Friday night: bit.ly/3AWppjL #76ers pic.twitter.com/NfS0kxppAQ – 6:35 AM
#NBA column: How the #Sixers and #Nets deal with Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving drama as they meet again Friday night: bit.ly/3AWppjL #76ers pic.twitter.com/NfS0kxppAQ – 6:35 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Doc Rivers supports Ben Simmons despite Sixers star’s practice antics: ‘I want Ben to be playing’ inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 3:55 AM
Doc Rivers supports Ben Simmons despite Sixers star’s practice antics: ‘I want Ben to be playing’ inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 3:55 AM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Catch-and-shoot OG Anunoby is a very, very, very different player than create for himself and shoot OG. That’s the next frontier for him. – 9:49 PM
Catch-and-shoot OG Anunoby is a very, very, very different player than create for himself and shoot OG. That’s the next frontier for him. – 9:49 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Loud “We want Simmons!” chants as the Sixers perimeter defense is getting lit up. I would stick to the “Where’s Ben Simmons?” chants if we’re trying to make sense here. – 9:28 PM
Loud “We want Simmons!” chants as the Sixers perimeter defense is getting lit up. I would stick to the “Where’s Ben Simmons?” chants if we’re trying to make sense here. – 9:28 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
The crowd is chanting “Where’s Ben Simmons?” Something tellsme the Sixers are going to hear this a lot. – 9:02 PM
The crowd is chanting “Where’s Ben Simmons?” Something tellsme the Sixers are going to hear this a lot. – 9:02 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
“Where’s Ben Simmons?” chant starting in the arena…but is short-lived. – 9:01 PM
“Where’s Ben Simmons?” chant starting in the arena…but is short-lived. – 9:01 PM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Raptors start Fred VanVleet, Goran Dragic, Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa.
Boucher is a go. – 5:51 PM
Raptors start Fred VanVleet, Goran Dragic, Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa.
Boucher is a go. – 5:51 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Doc Rivers supports Ben Simmons despite Sixers star’s practice antics: ‘I want Ben to be playing’ inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 5:01 PM
Doc Rivers supports Ben Simmons despite Sixers star’s practice antics: ‘I want Ben to be playing’ inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 5:01 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
We talked a whole lot of Ben Simmons on this pod + if you submitted a take, we broke it down.
New episode of @CertifiedBckts with @AshNicoleMoss & @LethalShooter__ out now 💘💘
linktr.ee/certifiedbckts – 4:53 PM
We talked a whole lot of Ben Simmons on this pod + if you submitted a take, we broke it down.
New episode of @CertifiedBckts with @AshNicoleMoss & @LethalShooter__ out now 💘💘
linktr.ee/certifiedbckts – 4:53 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Amid a @McClain_on_NFL report about a potential Deshaun Watson deal to Miami houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… I was unable to come up with a way for Ben Simmons and John Wall to somehow be included. – 3:57 PM
Amid a @McClain_on_NFL report about a potential Deshaun Watson deal to Miami houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… I was unable to come up with a way for Ben Simmons and John Wall to somehow be included. – 3:57 PM
Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
For @The Vertical: Joel Embiid can solve the 76ers saga by asking Daryl Morey to trade Ben Simmons now.
sports.yahoo.com/joel-embiid-co… – 3:42 PM
For @The Vertical: Joel Embiid can solve the 76ers saga by asking Daryl Morey to trade Ben Simmons now.
sports.yahoo.com/joel-embiid-co… – 3:42 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Ben Simmons’ antics haven’t changed Doc Rivers’ stance: ‘I want Ben to be playing.’ inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer #Sixers #NBA #philaunite – 3:15 PM
Ben Simmons’ antics haven’t changed Doc Rivers’ stance: ‘I want Ben to be playing.’ inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer #Sixers #NBA #philaunite – 3:15 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Amid the Ben Simmons saga, Tobias Harris has taken the charge that the team expects from one of their top players #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/20/tob… via @SixersWire – 2:39 PM
Amid the Ben Simmons saga, Tobias Harris has taken the charge that the team expects from one of their top players #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/20/tob… via @SixersWire – 2:39 PM
Chris Broussard @Chris_Broussard
Can Derrick Henry win the MVP? Is Ben Simmons hurting his own value? The Dodgers aren’t dead yet, NBA predictions & more! Guests: @EphraimSalaam @RandyMueller_ @martinweiss
Catch us live weeknights 7-10p ET on @FoxSportsRadio & @iHeartRadio podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… – 1:48 PM
Can Derrick Henry win the MVP? Is Ben Simmons hurting his own value? The Dodgers aren’t dead yet, NBA predictions & more! Guests: @EphraimSalaam @RandyMueller_ @martinweiss
Catch us live weeknights 7-10p ET on @FoxSportsRadio & @iHeartRadio podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… – 1:48 PM
Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Some fun Ben Simmons odds courtesy of BetOnline pic.twitter.com/V0hksiLTYM – 1:44 PM
Some fun Ben Simmons odds courtesy of BetOnline pic.twitter.com/V0hksiLTYM – 1:44 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Doc Rivers maintains that he still wants Ben Simmons with the team despite the latest drama #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/20/six… via @SixersWire #NBA – 1:15 PM
Doc Rivers maintains that he still wants Ben Simmons with the team despite the latest drama #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/20/six… via @SixersWire #NBA – 1:15 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Worth noting for tonight’s game: No Ben Simmons and no Shake Milton leaves one player that you would be comfortable labeling a point guard (Tyrese Maxey) on the roster. Young Maxey will not be playing 48 minutes.
Might be a problem, might not be, but certainly unusual. – 1:14 PM
Worth noting for tonight’s game: No Ben Simmons and no Shake Milton leaves one player that you would be comfortable labeling a point guard (Tyrese Maxey) on the roster. Young Maxey will not be playing 48 minutes.
Might be a problem, might not be, but certainly unusual. – 1:14 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
Raptors fans, @Kevin O’Connor hears you loud and clear. He’s pumped and jacked to watch OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes all season. #TheVoidNBA pic.twitter.com/1T380EhKgX – 1:01 PM
Raptors fans, @Kevin O’Connor hears you loud and clear. He’s pumped and jacked to watch OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes all season. #TheVoidNBA pic.twitter.com/1T380EhKgX – 1:01 PM
Austin Kent @AustinKent
I need everybody to hop on the @Fanspo Trade Machine and pitch me Ben Simmons trade ideas. Need something out there to cling to and hope for.
🔗 : fanspo.com/nba/trade-mach… – 12:52 PM
I need everybody to hop on the @Fanspo Trade Machine and pitch me Ben Simmons trade ideas. Need something out there to cling to and hope for.
🔗 : fanspo.com/nba/trade-mach… – 12:52 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
New video breaking down seven young NBA players to watch this season:
Cam Thomas, Nets
Mo Bamba, Magic
Jordan Poole, Warriors
Corey Kispert, Wizards
Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
Scottie Barnes, Raptors
OG Anunoby, Raptors – 12:47 PM
New video breaking down seven young NBA players to watch this season:
Cam Thomas, Nets
Mo Bamba, Magic
Jordan Poole, Warriors
Corey Kispert, Wizards
Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
Scottie Barnes, Raptors
OG Anunoby, Raptors – 12:47 PM
Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
The Pelicans will battle the Sixers tonight in the 2021-22 season opener and it’ll be so great just to focus on actual basketball.
The topics of Zion Williamson’s weight and Ben Simmons/Klutch Sports’ theatrics have become beyond tiresome! thebirdwrites.com/2021/10/20/227… pic.twitter.com/AxVwwzzEhO – 12:19 PM
The Pelicans will battle the Sixers tonight in the 2021-22 season opener and it’ll be so great just to focus on actual basketball.
The topics of Zion Williamson’s weight and Ben Simmons/Klutch Sports’ theatrics have become beyond tiresome! thebirdwrites.com/2021/10/20/227… pic.twitter.com/AxVwwzzEhO – 12:19 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
For the lunchtime crowd: he NBA season starts this week, with questions on Ben Simmons, Kyrie, low-key good pickups, who’ll win Rookie of the Year, Space Jam, KAT, John Wall’s future, the best new coach and…the playoff-bound Kings??
In @The Athletic: bit.ly/2XsSkhF – 12:00 PM
For the lunchtime crowd: he NBA season starts this week, with questions on Ben Simmons, Kyrie, low-key good pickups, who’ll win Rookie of the Year, Space Jam, KAT, John Wall’s future, the best new coach and…the playoff-bound Kings??
In @The Athletic: bit.ly/2XsSkhF – 12:00 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers injury report: Shake Milton (sprained right ankle), Grant Riller (left knee injury recovery) and Ben Simmons (suspension).
#Pelicans injury report: Zion Williamson (right foot fracture). – 11:34 AM
#Sixers injury report: Shake Milton (sprained right ankle), Grant Riller (left knee injury recovery) and Ben Simmons (suspension).
#Pelicans injury report: Zion Williamson (right foot fracture). – 11:34 AM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Looking for “Ben Simmons giveaway night.” pic.twitter.com/ULB3D73tMn – 11:27 AM
Looking for “Ben Simmons giveaway night.” pic.twitter.com/ULB3D73tMn – 11:27 AM
Ric Bucher @RicBucher
Ben Simmons might find it tougher to get out of Philly than other stars who asked for trades foxsports.com/stories/nba/be… – 11:22 AM
Ben Simmons might find it tougher to get out of Philly than other stars who asked for trades foxsports.com/stories/nba/be… – 11:22 AM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
All the Ben Simmons ~stuff~ has made the fact that the Sixers open the season tonight an afterthought. But they will play the first of at least 82 basketball games tonight. How are they going to look on the court — with or without Simmons? inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 10:41 AM
All the Ben Simmons ~stuff~ has made the fact that the Sixers open the season tonight an afterthought. But they will play the first of at least 82 basketball games tonight. How are they going to look on the court — with or without Simmons? inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 10:41 AM
John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
Ben Simmons can never go on Twitter again. He needs to throw all his devices in the ocean. – 10:22 AM
Ben Simmons can never go on Twitter again. He needs to throw all his devices in the ocean. – 10:22 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: What should the #Sixers do with the suspended Ben Simmons? How can Daryl Morey and the #76ers resolve this mess? bit.ly/3DTSnlX pic.twitter.com/ceUoU60NNU – 10:15 AM
#NBA column: What should the #Sixers do with the suspended Ben Simmons? How can Daryl Morey and the #76ers resolve this mess? bit.ly/3DTSnlX pic.twitter.com/ceUoU60NNU – 10:15 AM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
OG Anunoby knows he got better over the summer. How does he know?
“Sometimes you just know… It’s just a feeling.”
On the cusp of a breakout season, the Raptors’ young two-way star in the making should get used to that feeling: tsn.ca/lewenberg-toro… pic.twitter.com/B1jXOY6Lzz – 11:33 AM
OG Anunoby knows he got better over the summer. How does he know?
“Sometimes you just know… It’s just a feeling.”
On the cusp of a breakout season, the Raptors’ young two-way star in the making should get used to that feeling: tsn.ca/lewenberg-toro… pic.twitter.com/B1jXOY6Lzz – 11:33 AM
Tom Ziller @teamziller
Worst team in the league? First-time All-Stars? Surprise playoff teams? OG Anunoby?
14 impeccable predictions for this NBA season 🔓 ziller.substack.com/p/14-impeccabl… – 9:20 AM
Worst team in the league? First-time All-Stars? Surprise playoff teams? OG Anunoby?
14 impeccable predictions for this NBA season 🔓 ziller.substack.com/p/14-impeccabl… – 9:20 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
My awards picks:
MVP: Giannis
Sleeper: Donovan Mitchell/Jayson Tatum
DPOY: Draymond Green
Sleeper: OG Anunoby
MIP: Anunoby
Sleeper: Keldon Johnson
ROY: Cade Cunningham
Sleeper: Chris Duarte
COY: Steve Nash
Sleeper: Chris Finch
6MOY: Jordan Clarkson
Sleeper: Dennis Schroder – 9:15 AM
My awards picks:
MVP: Giannis
Sleeper: Donovan Mitchell/Jayson Tatum
DPOY: Draymond Green
Sleeper: OG Anunoby
MIP: Anunoby
Sleeper: Keldon Johnson
ROY: Cade Cunningham
Sleeper: Chris Duarte
COY: Steve Nash
Sleeper: Chris Finch
6MOY: Jordan Clarkson
Sleeper: Dennis Schroder – 9:15 AM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
“He’s going to be guarding the best players in the league every night, because he can do it,” Nurse on OG Anunoby’s role, even with an increased offensive workload. – 12:58 PM
“He’s going to be guarding the best players in the league every night, because he can do it,” Nurse on OG Anunoby’s role, even with an increased offensive workload. – 12:58 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
OG Anunoby says every player is learning every position offensively, and that’s a product of how they’re playing defensively, too. – 12:44 PM
OG Anunoby says every player is learning every position offensively, and that’s a product of how they’re playing defensively, too. – 12:44 PM
More on this storyline
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: All-Star Ben Simmons arrived and departed the 76ers practice facility today without taking part in a scheduled individual workout. His status for Friday night’s game vs. Brooklyn (ESPN, 7:30 PM) is unclear. As a team, the Sixers had no practice today. -via Twitter @wojespn / October 21, 2021
Adrian Wojnarowski: Simmons has yet to fully engage in a team practice, so it remains unlikely that he would make his season-debut vs. the Nets on Friday. -via Twitter @wojespn / October 21, 2021
Ohm Youngmisuk: Patty Mills says he hasn’t spoken to fellow Aussie Ben Simmons recently. “[We’re] close in certain things and obviously his journey has gone the path that it has watching from afar. With national team stuff we’ve come quite close. As a fellow countrymen, you always wish the best” -via Twitter @NotoriousOHM / October 21, 2021
