New Ben Simmons Suitor Emerges: Insider Report


We've all heard the names who have been in talks with the Philadelphia 76ers in an attempt to acquire Ben Simmons: Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers and Indiana Pacers among them. Now, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, a new suitor emerges: The Atlanta Hawks. 

“It was suggested to me this week by one league source to keep an eye on Atlanta as an emerging suitor for Philadelphia’s Simmons."

This shouldn't come as a surprise, as the Hawks' GM earlier this week BLASTED his team, going as far as saying "Maybe It Wasn't Such a Great Idea to Bring Everybody Back." Yikes.

"I certainly am the one that's in charge of putting those people out there," said GM Travis Schlenk, "and I have to accept that responsibility that maybe it wasn't such a great idea to bring everybody back." 

In the offseason, Schlenk gave out long-term contracts worth about $400M to Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter. But it wasn't just those three, but rather the entire team that was in his line of fire. A team that went to the Conference Finals last season, and now struggles along at 17-20, in 12th in the Conference. 

"That's on me," Schlenk continued. "We have a few weeks here before the trade deadline, that's what I need to figure out... It's my responsibility to put a product on the floor that can win and right now I'm questioning whether or not I've done that." 

He certainly didn't mention Ben Simmons by name, but as we reported this week, bringing in another star player, in a 2-for-1, or even 3-for-1 kind of deal, is something the Hawks are thought to be considering. 

Photo Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports