Team ‘seriously interested’ in Simmons trade emerges as saga rolls on

Reports suggest Ben Simmons could be on his way out of Philadelphia with an NBA rival looking to acquire him by next week.

(Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP)

The Ben Simmons trade saga has taken another turn after reports emerged that the Houston Rockets are “seriously interested” in acquiring the Australian before the start of training camp.

NBA teams are scheduled to begin their training camps at the start of next week ahead of the new season beginning a few weeks after that.

Simmons’ management has apparently made it clear to Philadelphia that he will not be attending the team’s camp as he looks to push through a trade after being made public enemy number one following the Sixers’ dismal playoffs run at the end of last season.

According to the New York Times’ Marc Stein, that remains the case.

Watch NBA Live & On-Demand with ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Simmons’ future remains up in the air. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Sixers were also keen to trade him but put a king’s ransom on Simmons, putting off any and all potential interest and leaving them to deal with the prospect of trying to reintegrate him into the squad.

However, reports emerged last week that John Wall could be on his way out of Houston and now Simmons is wanted to replace him.

NBA journalist Evan Dammarell revealed that Houston was planning to have its squad settled in time for camp, meaning that any trade for Simmons, with Wall going the other way, would need to happen in the next week.

“After talking to some folks over the weekend, it seems the Houston Rockets are seriously interested in acquiring 76ers forward Ben Simmons prior to the start of training camp,” Dammarell tweeted.

After talking to some folks over the weekend, it seems the Houston Rockets are seriously interested in acquiring 76ers forward Ben Simmons prior to the start of training camp.

Things remain fluid but John Wall would be headed to Philadelphia in a possible trade, per sources.

— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) September 20, 2021

“Things remain fluid but John Wall would be headed to Philadelphia in a possible trade, per sources.”

However, the trade doesn’t match up given Wall makes more than $AUD60m per season, meaning the Sixers would also need to throw in a player such as Simmons’ fellow Aussie Matisse Thybulle to make the math work, according to reports.

Originally published as Team ‘seriously interested’ in Simmons trade emerges as saga rolls on