Ben Simmons mentioned in trade talks between 76ers and Rockets

Ben Simmons is on the outer in Philadelphia after reportedly being “made available” by the 76ers to unlock the James Harden trade.

Ben Simmons doesn’t get a say.

Ben Simmons is on the outer in Philadelphia after reportedly being “made available” by the 76ers in their trade talks with Houston.

Simmons is reportedly being used as the key plank in the Sixers’ trade package offer to the Rockets in trade talks surrounding rogue All Star James Harden.

The rumours surrounding Simmons’ future in Philly have been swirling for weeks since it was revealed Harden was considering a move to the 76ers — if he was unable to force his preferred trade to the Brooklyn Nets.

The messy situation now has Ben Simmons’ career at a potentially defining fork in the road.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported Simmons has been put on the table by the Sixers, but there has been no momentum in the trade talks between the two teams so far.

Charania also posted a response from Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey on Twitter in which the new boss dismissed the widespread reports.

“We are not trading Ben Simmons — he is an important part of our future,” Morey said

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne also reported the Rockets are continuing to pursue trade options with rival teams outside of Harden’s preferred destinations of Philadelphia and Brooklyn.

The report reveals the negotiations to swap Harden for Simmons “have come nowhere close to a deal”.

The situation is quickly reaching a dramatic crescendo with the NBA season beginning next week.

Ben Simmons is on the table.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed on Twitter Friday “several playoff-caliber teams in the Eastern and Western conferences” are warming to the idea of acquiring Harden.

The Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat were last week mentioned as two of the other top contenders in the hunt to sign Harden.

However, New York Times reporter Marc Stein noted last week the Sixers were the “most likely destination” for Harden.

“As the NBA pre-season begins tonight Philadelphia ranks as the most likely destination when the Rockets eventually reach the point of trading James Harden, league sources say,” Stein tweeted.

“The Rockets insist (for now) they will not trade Harden. The Sixers insist (for now) they will not trade Ben Simmons. But sources say the familiarity between the front offices can ultimately defuse any lingering tension from Daryl Morey’s departure from Houston to Philadelphia.”

Morey was the man who brought Harden to the Rockets and now he seems intent on bringing him to Philadelphia.

They’re splitting up the band.

Morey has previously dubbed Harden the best offensive player he’d ever seen and pairing him with Embiid could be the key to unlock the ultimate success for the Sixers.

Of course Morey has been busy since landing in Philly and has built a roster far more suited to the skillset of both big men.

Big man Al Horford and his absurd $A149m salary was sent out the door to Oklahoma with the 76ers receiving wing players Danny Green and Terrance Ferguson in return.

Next came the move to send the underperforming Josh Richardson to Dallas in exchange for sharpshooter Seth Curry.

The moves open the floor up for Simmons and Embiid to work in the paint by surrounding them with quality shooters from beyond the arc.

Ben Simmons may not be around long enough to see if the moves ever work.