Nuggets Exec Trashes Ben Simmons: Trade Idea "Insulting"!

 

Despite rumors to the contrary, it sure doesn't sound like the Denver Nuggets are a candidate to trade for Ben Simmons. A team executive seemed confused when asked about reports that the Nuggets have been in talks for a trade, and when asked if that would involve Jamal Murray going to the Philadelphia 76ers in return for Simmons, he didn't hold anything back:

Safe to say, the Nuggets are not going to entertain the idea of a Jamal Murray-Ben Simmons switch 💯 pic.twitter.com/XJHYl3i9GF

— Nuggets Nation (@NuggetsNationCP) September 27, 2021

The unnamed exec was quoted as responding to the Murray for Simmons swap with: “Not sure if that’s more insulting to Jamal or us to be honest." Boom!

Sam Amico of HoopsWire posted last week that "some suspect the Nuggets will be a sleeper" in the Ben Simmons trade sweepstakes, but that certainly seemed to take this Denver exec by surprise. When asked by Matt Moore of Hardwood Paroxysm about the Nuggets even being a "frontrunner" as rumors suggest, the response is one of "general confusion."

Quick note: the general reaction from sources close to the Nuggets regarding reports that they are “frontrunners” for a Simmons deal is general confusion.

“Who would we even trade?” is a common refrain.

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) September 26, 2021

"Who would we even trade?", is what Nuggets brass respond with. 

Certainly, after these comments, not Jamal Murray. 

Murray is currently recovering from a torn ACL that derailed the Nuggets' playoff hopes this past season. This type of injury can typically take up to a full calendar year to come back from, so his return is looking like sometime in the new year. 

As for when Simmons will return to the court? That timeline is even more uncertain. 

Photo Credit:  Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports