Report: Ben Simmons Trade is "A Matter of WHEN, Not If"

 

The Philadelphia 76ers have been claiming that they're perfectly fine to start the season with beleaguered point guard Ben Simmons if they can't get their asking price in a trade. But Monday, NBA insider Shams Charania reports that's "it's a matter of when, not if" Simmons gets dealt. 

🆕 Inside Pass from @ShamsCharania

◽️ All signs point to Ben Simmons‘ career in Philly coming to an end – seen as matter of "when" not "if"
◽️ DeAndre Jordan, the Nets working toward parting ways
◽️ Suns among contenders interested in Spurs' Thad Younghttps://t.co/RXRrI03cyO

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 30, 2021

So far, since trade talks opened about two months ago, that asking price has been outrageously steep, and teams that GM Daryl Morey has been in talks with have not been biting. According to Charania, and as we've reported, "extensive discussions" have been held with teams such as the Toronto Raptors and the Minnesota Timberwolves. But the sides haven't been close. 

Rival executives are Charania's sources, saying it's only a matter of time before Simmons finds himself in another uniform. 

The three-time All-Star guard continues to be one of the best in the league at his position on the defensive end, but his hesitancy, even fear, of shooting big shots has led to an irreparable situation between Simmons and the Sixers. He is apparently no longer in communication with the team.

With less than a month until training camp opens, it will soon become incumbent upon Morey to bring his demands down to a more sensible and reasonable territory, but as the latest report states, "all signs continue to point to Simmons’ career in Philadelphia coming to an end."

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports