There are approximately 30 players that would satisfy Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade for Ben Simmons, according to a new report from The Athletic.
"A source with knowledge of the list said there are approximately 30 players who would satisfy the Sixers in a Simmons swap, and there’s an internal belief that a fair amount of them — let’s say five to 10 — could become available in the next year or two. And while it might sound like a long list, consider this much: It’s approximately six percent of the league and the rough equivalent to the number of All-Stars selected every season. The framing of the timeline, more than anything else, speaks volumes about the long-term approach the Sixers insist they’re taking. 'This is like a multi-year thing,' a Sixers source said."
Morey and the Sixers remain steadfast on the fact that they are in no rush. Simmons is under contract for four seasons and Morey has made it clear he is willing to wait this thing out, unless the Sixers can get a difference maker in return.
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According to the report, Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Bradley Beal are near the top of the list.
The Sixers were also reportedly interested in Celtics' ascending star Jaylen Brown, but Boston is unwilling to make that trade.
Simmons is currently sitting out due to his mental state, but the Sixers recently fined him for missing the team's six-game road trip.
“This is no longer about a trade,” Simmons' agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports recently said. “This is about finding a place where we can help Ben get back to his mental strength and get back on the floor."
94WIP's Howard Eskin reports that Simmons has been working out with the St. Joe's Hawks basketball team, which actually could result in an NCAA rules violation.