The Philadelphia 76ers and NBA All-Star Ben Simmons have continued their standoff, as there has been very little movement on the situation. There is still no timetable for him to return to the team and play in games with them or for the organization to trade him.
Simmons is currently receiving treatment for a back ailment and improving his mental well-being. In a meeting with the team, Simmons revealed that he is not mentally ready to play in games, so he is getting help to overcome that as well.
As the 76ers await a resolution to that and hold out hope that he returns to the court, they have still been working the phones looking for a trade. Trade ultimately seems like the route this will go, as there has been irreparable damage done in the relationship between the team and player.
When healthy, the 76ers have proven they can get the job done without Simmons in the lineup. Before Joel Embiid landed in the league’s health and safety protocols, the team was atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-2. They have hit a skid since, as they’ve lost multiple rotation players to the health and safety protocols.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Time For Philadelphia 76ers To Give In For Ben Simmons Trade?
If this stretch of games revealed anything, it is that the team could use some help beyond Embiid. If he is sidelined, they struggle. The goal in a Simmons deal is to get a return package with an impact player that can steady things when Embiid is sidelined.
Who could that player be? It was recently revealed that the 76ers have a list of players they feel would fit their asking price for Ben Simmons in a trade. The report comes courtesy of The Athletic, a prescription-based publication.
“But here’s the part that may come as a surprise: 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.”
There is a lot to take away from that report. For starters, the 20-30 players list is essentially the size of All-Star teams. So, it is fair to assume the 76ers are going to remain aiming as high as possible in negotiations.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Time For Philadelphia 76ers To Give In For Ben Simmons Trade?
The other takeaway is the timeline. Guys who may be available in the next year or two. That means the Philadelphia 76ers are in this for the long haul, as The Athletic also shared this is a multi-year thing.
That is a worst-case scenario for both sides if this drags on for years. The sooner this comes to an end the better as Ben Simmons’s value isn’t going to improve if he remains on the sidelines.
