Suitors named in race for Ben Simmons’ signature

The tense stand-off between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers may be coming to a close as teams chasing his signature were revealed.

A leading suitor has emerged in the race for Ben Simmons. Picture: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP)

As Ben Simmons’ messy divorce from the Philadelphia plays out, a list of potential suitors has been revealed.

Simmons has all but played his last game for the 76ers, as a horror offensive showing against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference playoffs saw the NBA world unload on the 25-year-old.

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The Aussie is seeking a trade from the City of Brotherly Love and is so desperate to leave he’s refusing to rock up to pre-season training camp in the hope of forcing the Sixers’ hand.

As for where Simmons might end up, a number of teams have reportedly expressed interest in the Aussie star, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey.

Pompey reports the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Indiana Pacers have all inquired about Simmons’ availability.

None of those teams made the playoffs last season, and they may well be hoping a move for Simmons will elevate them into the post-season.

The name dropping comes after shock reports last month claimed the Denver Nuggets were also interested in the former No. 1 draft pick.

Should Simmons find himself at the Spurs, he’d be playing alongside fellow Aussie Jock Landale, who signed for Gregg Popovich’s team after a breakout Olympics campaign for the Boomers.

The news of the mooted trade destinations comes just a day after Simmons missed out on an $AUD11.4 million payment he was due to receive from the 76ers.

Simmons has already received the first 25 per cent of his contract worth this season, but the Sixers are refusing to give him the second 25 per cent — or $11.4 million — because of his boycott.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania said the move won’t come as a surprise to Simmons because he “understood the ramifications of his holdout” while according to ESPN, the money being held from Simmons will be kept in an escrow account and any fines he accrues from here for his non-compliance will be deducted from that sum.

Where will Ben Simmons find himself before the start of the 2021/22 NBA season? Picture: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst told the network the Sixers’ move was a “declaration of war”.

“It is definitely a throwing down of the gauntlet,” he said.

“And if this wasn’t already a war, this is a declaration of war that … pretty much closes the door tight on Ben Simmons having any interest in bridging this gap and reporting (for duty).”

If losing out on a mammoth windfall wasn’t enough, Simmons also copped a harsh truth bomb from 76ers teammate Joel Embiid.

The duo were supposed to be the central figures of a championship-winning roster but Embiid said after all the Sixers have done to accommodate Simmons over the years — including signing players like Al Horford and getting rid of Jimmy Butler — it’s no longer on them to bow to the Australian’s wishes.

“I feel like over the years, our team has been built around (Simmons),” Embiid said this week. “Our teams have always been built around his needs.

“Even going back to the reason we signed Al, we got rid of Jimmy, which I still think was a mistake, just to make sure he (Simmons) needed the ball in his hands and that’s the decision they made.

“The situation is disappointing, borderline kind of disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives.

“Some guys rely on the team being successful to stay in the league and make money somehow. Because if you’re on a winning team, you’re always going to have a spot in the league, just because you’re on a winning team and you contributed.

“We are a better team with him, there’s no question about it. We still hope he changes his mind, but I kind of owe it to these guys to worry about what we have here.”

Joel Embiid didn’t hold back when talking about Ben Simmons’ recent actions. Picture: Getty Images

Originally published as Suitors named in race for Ben Simmons’ signature