Yesterday morning, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that, “The Sixers have opened up trade conversations surrounding Simmons and have engaged with teams.” This wasn’t particularly surprising news given how the season ended for Ben, but the report understandably sent shockwaves throughout the NBA and Sixers communities.
Shams went on to write, “Teams that have engaged the Sixers regarding Simmons have been met with a high price. One source says the Sixers want an All-Star caliber player in return.” Despite some of the less-educated narratives you’ll hear on the radio or possibly see online, Ben Simmons trade value remains immensely high, and this report underscores the point that Daryl Morey won’t just sell Simmons for spare parts.
As Morey Shams suggests, it’ll require an All-Star caliber talent to pry Ben away, and for the sake of being specific, we ought to assume any trade discussions are currently limited to Lillard, Beal, Lavine, and the like. Each of those names has been linked to the Sixers in the past, and each of them could become available as soon as this summer despite none of them currently being shopped (at least not openly).
Until one of these players takes the final step of demanding a trade, or until one of their organizations elects for a rebuild, then Ben Simmons isn’t going anywhere. Morey isn’t about to move him for a collection of young players and picks, and he certainly won’t settle for an over-the-hill veteran in a sign-and-trade. Without a stone-cold star talent on the right side of 30 being sent back in return, there’s nothing for the Sixers to discuss here.
Let’s set the record straight: at 24 years old Ben Simmons is a 3x All-Star with one All-NBA and multiple All-Defense appearances on his resume. He’s the runner-up DPOY from this past season, and is a shoo-in to win the award in the future. He’s a walking 16-8-8 on 58% shooting, and the number of players who impact the game in the way that he does without being a volume scorer can be counted on one hand. If you’re in a rush to trade this then you’re exposing yourself.
Last week Daryl Morey and the Sixers turned down an offer of Malcolm Brogdon and a 2022 first round pick from the Pacers for Simmons, and frankly that package isn’t in the ballpark of what the team is likely looking for. If that offer set the bar for how high Morey values Ben, then this latest reporting from Shams raises that bar even more so.