Simmons Wants Trade / Not Going To Report To Camp (CBS Report)

[liam]

Trading Ben Simmons is going to be hard. I can't find too many fits and then the money and players coming back is tough. The fact that the Sixers want to get better from the trade is what makes it tough. Usually, when you trade star players it's the start of a rebuild.

Simmons for McCollum far and away makes the most sense of any trade partner out there for Simmons. The specific deal I would propose is:

Simmons and Maxey to Portland.

McCollum, Covington, and top-5 protected picks in 2024 and 2026 to Philly.

Portland moves Powell to the 2, gets a top defender in the league to fix their D, has great guard shooting around Simmons, and potentially raises their ceiling to try a new mix around Lillard.

Philly gets an excellent guard/shooter to pair with Seth Curry in the backcourt, Covington replaces some of Simmons' defense at the forward position, and they get 2 lightly protected picks to use in future deals since they are giving up the younger, higher upside star with more years left on his deal.

That is a good deal but I've read that Portland is hesitant because of fit with Simmons. I would assume his attitude isn't helping things any either.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

[liam]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

It's complicated. The last guy I remember wanting to be traded from a winning team was Kyrie.

[RJ87]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

It's complicated. The last guy I remember wanting to be traded from a winning team was Kyrie.

Paul George, Jimmy Butler, and James Harden all asked to be traded from playoff teams.

[Moranis]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

That doesn't strike me as anywhere near enough for Philly. 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

That doesn't strike me as anywhere near enough for Philly.

It may be the best offer out there.

[greg683x]

Trading Ben Simmons is going to be hard. I can't find too many fits and then the money and players coming back is tough. The fact that the Sixers want to get better from the trade is what makes it tough. Usually, when you trade star players it's the start of a rebuild.

I think this is why they’re going to wait as long as they can and pray the blazers flop this year and Lillard demands a trade.  Portland would be in same position albeit with a less flawed player

[Moranis]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

That doesn't strike me as anywhere near enough for Philly.

It may be the best offer out there.

then they don't trade him

[celticsclay]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

That doesn't strike me as anywhere near enough for Philly.

It may be the best offer out there.

then they don't trade him

This is setting up an incredible stare down and I am pretty excited about. If simmons does follow through and takes some fines for a few months it really hurts the 76ers standings in a prime year of embid. Also very hard to imagine him coming back to a fan base that absolutely hates him. This is kind of pinnacle test of player movement era.

[liam]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

It's complicated. The last guy I remember wanting to be traded from a winning team was Kyrie.

Paul George, Jimmy Butler, and James Harden all asked to be traded from playoff teams.

Were they still playoff teams after those guys left?

[Moranis]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

That doesn't strike me as anywhere near enough for Philly.

It may be the best offer out there.

then they don't trade him

This is setting up an incredible stare down and I am pretty excited about. If simmons does follow through and takes some fines for a few months it really hurts the 76ers standings in a prime year of embid. Also very hard to imagine him coming back to a fan base that absolutely hates him. This is kind of pinnacle test of player movement era.

Yep.  Definitely should be interesting.  He has a lot of years left and the Sixers are still going to be a playoff team without him, so they really have no incentive to move him for a deal they don't like, especially if they aren't paying him.

[Celtics2021]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

That doesn't strike me as anywhere near enough for Philly.

It may be the best offer out there.

then they don't trade him

This is setting up an incredible stare down and I am pretty excited about. If simmons does follow through and takes some fines for a few months it really hurts the 76ers standings in a prime year of embid. Also very hard to imagine him coming back to a fan base that absolutely hates him. This is kind of pinnacle test of player movement era.

Yep.  Definitely should be interesting.  He has a lot of years left and the Sixers are still going to be a playoff team without him, so they really have no incentive to move him for a deal they don't like, especially if they aren't paying him.

The years of a star/superstar in the prime of his career are limited.  Are they going to throw away a season of Embiid’s prime holding out for a deal for Simmons just because they might not pay him?  They’re still required to donate the money they fine him, so it’s not like they’d actually save a significant amount of dollars.

This is going to be resolved by November 1st, if not earlier.  They aren’t going to have a staring contest much into the beginning of the season.

[Moranis]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

That doesn't strike me as anywhere near enough for Philly.

It may be the best offer out there.

then they don't trade him

This is setting up an incredible stare down and I am pretty excited about. If simmons does follow through and takes some fines for a few months it really hurts the 76ers standings in a prime year of embid. Also very hard to imagine him coming back to a fan base that absolutely hates him. This is kind of pinnacle test of player movement era.

Yep.  Definitely should be interesting.  He has a lot of years left and the Sixers are still going to be a playoff team without him, so they really have no incentive to move him for a deal they don't like, especially if they aren't paying him.

The years of a star/superstar in the prime of his career are limited.  Are they going to throw away a season of Embiid’s prime holding out for a deal for Simmons just because they might not pay him?  They’re still required to donate the money they fine him, so it’s not like they’d actually save a significant amount of dollars.

This is going to be resolved by November 1st, if not earlier.  They aren’t going to have a staring contest much into the beginning of the season.

They aren't going to trade him just to trade him.  I absolutely think they are going to force Simmons to actually start giving up game checks because they have no real incentive not to until they get a trade they like.  They aren't just going to trade him for a bunch of role players just because.  In fact, you want to talk about wasting Embiid's prime, the real way to do that is to not get real value back for Simmons.  Embiid and a bunch of role players isn't winning the title at any point in time.  The Sixers need to get a real legit all star level player at a minimum back or there is no point in trading Simmons unless they are also going to trade Embiid, Harris, etc. and go into a full bore tank.

[celticsclay]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

That doesn't strike me as anywhere near enough for Philly.

It may be the best offer out there.

then they don't trade him

This is setting up an incredible stare down and I am pretty excited about. If simmons does follow through and takes some fines for a few months it really hurts the 76ers standings in a prime year of embid. Also very hard to imagine him coming back to a fan base that absolutely hates him. This is kind of pinnacle test of player movement era.

Yep.  Definitely should be interesting.  He has a lot of years left and the Sixers are still going to be a playoff team without him, so they really have no incentive to move him for a deal they don't like, especially if they aren't paying him.

The years of a star/superstar in the prime of his career are limited.  Are they going to throw away a season of Embiid’s prime holding out for a deal for Simmons just because they might not pay him?  They’re still required to donate the money they fine him, so it’s not like they’d actually save a significant amount of dollars.

This is going to be resolved by November 1st, if not earlier.  They aren’t going to have a staring contest much into the beginning of the season.

They aren't going to trade him just to trade him.  I absolutely think they are going to force Simmons to actually start giving up game checks because they have no real incentive not to until they get a trade they like.  They aren't just going to trade him for a bunch of role players just because.  In fact, you want to talk about wasting Embiid's prime, the real way to do that is to not get real value back for Simmons.  Embiid and a bunch of role players isn't winning the title at any point in time.  The Sixers need to get a real legit all star level player at a minimum back or there is no point in trading Simmons unless they are also going to trade Embiid, Harris, etc. and go into a full bore tank.

They might be a bit screwed either way though right? Even if they got beal for simmons magically they are probably an incredible long shot to beat both the nets and lakers. This is where then squandering assets over the last three years kills them. If they had butler instead of harris right now for example they would absolutely be in contention. From all reports they could have probably traded simmons and kept Butler two years ago.

These matchups
Irving - curry
Harden - beal
Durant - Danny green
Alridge - Tobias harris
Blake - embid

Obviously embid dominates Blake and that would be a problem but I think the way the game is called that will not be as big an advantage as it should be. The 1-3 matchup are an absolute joke and I don’t even know who guards durant. Harris?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Is there any way the blazers could trade Powell, Simons, and Covington to the Sixers for Simmons?

There is no doubt that balances the Sixers roster. Maybe they could include Nurkic to a third team to get a veteran wing scorer for the Sixers instead of Simons? Sixers have Curry-Powell-Covington-Harris-Embiid, with an extra veteran wing, Drummond, Maxey, and Milton. Feels sneaky good that could find the right rhythm withh everything running through Embiid.

Blazers would be left with a core of Lillard, McCullom, Simmons, and lance, and Zeller. That’s a versatile team that, if you squint, you could see similarities with the pre-Durant Warriors. They’d still need another veteran or two, but maybe they could flip Simons and little at the deadline for another veteran wing/guard. Simmons also wouldn’t have to worry about shooting with that lineup.

That doesn't strike me as anywhere near enough for Philly.

It may be the best offer out there.

then they don't trade him

This is setting up an incredible stare down and I am pretty excited about. If simmons does follow through and takes some fines for a few months it really hurts the 76ers standings in a prime year of embid. Also very hard to imagine him coming back to a fan base that absolutely hates him. This is kind of pinnacle test of player movement era.

Yep.  Definitely should be interesting.  He has a lot of years left and the Sixers are still going to be a playoff team without him, so they really have no incentive to move him for a deal they don't like, especially if they aren't paying him.

I guess I disagree on this. It's possible the team can call his bluff, but not likely. The Sixers only have so many more healthy years of Embiid. There is real pressure to put a team out there that can compete for a championship. This team without Ben Simmons (and arguably with Ben Simmons) cannot.

The reality in the modern NBA is that teams have less leverage than ever. Four years left on his deal or not, we've seen similar situations and the team always feels the pressure to eventually cave.