‘Matter of when - not if’: 76ers ‘stuck’ at crossroads moment in Simmons trade

New reports have revealed why Ben Simmons and the 76ers remain stuck at a crossroads — but a trade is just a matter of time.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers calls out to his teammates against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at State Farm Arena on June 14, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

It’s been two months since Philadelphia 76ers opened up trade conversations around Ben Simmons, but with preseason a little more than a month away, and the start of the regular season just three weeks after that, nothing has happened.

Philadelphia had shopped him around on draft night, most notably to Golden State, who was unwilling to accept the deal of its two first-rounders, James Wiseman and Andrew Wiggins for the Australian.

Since then, there has been expansive discussions with the likes of Minnesota and Toronto, but neither proposal has so far appealed to the 76ers – or to Simmons himself, who is still harbouring hopes of a move to a California team.

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(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP)

So what is going on between Simmons and the Sixers?

Philadelphia has set a king’s ransom so far Simmons thus far and according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, as a result, the situation remains the same.

He reports that while the Sixers have told any potential suitors that they are more than comfortable bringing Simmons back for the 2021-22 season, other rival executives believe it is “a matter of when – not if” – they trade him.

He added that “all signs point to Simmons’ career in Philadelphia coming to an end”.

In another world, Simmons would already be at Houston, along with fellow Aussie Matisse Thybulle and two first-round picks, had James Harden opted to join the Sixers over Brooklyn.

Nevertheless, end-of-season comments from Joel Embiid and Doc Rivers suggests “the writing is on the wall” for Simmons, reports Charania.

The Sixers are fully focused on trading for Damian Lillard, he added, who is continuing to evaluate Portland’s present and future, leaving Philadelphia “stuck” on whether to make a move now with Simmons or waiting until the All-Star makes up his mind.

Originally published as ‘Matter of when - not if’: 76ers ‘stuck’ at crossroads moment in Simmons trade