NBA Rumors: Multi-Team Ben Simmons Trade Talks Picking Up Steam

 

Could December 15th be the magic date for Ben Simmons? It is on that day that players who signed contracts this past offseason become eligible to be traded, and according to NBA insiders Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe, that could be the trigger that the Philadelphia 76ers were waiting for to ramp up Ben Simmons trade talks.

ESPN reporting with @ZachLowe_NBA: Philadelphia's trade conversations on Ben Simmons gathering momentum in recent days. More teams engaged, more two and three-way deal structure talks ongoing as 76ers try to land a Top 25 player for Simmons.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 10, 2021

According to the report, the Sixers' trade talks have been "gathering momentum", in particular with two and three-way deals being discussed. 

According to Woj, next Wednesday, Dec. 15th, 84% of the league's players will be eligible to be traded, up from only 65% currently. That's going to open up a slew of new opportunities for the Sixers to try to extract a "top 25" player. 

But one of those who will not be available is Damian Lillard. The Blazers have made it clear to the Sixers, and anyone who'll listen, he is not available for trade. 

Simmons demanded a trade back in the summer, and has been sitting out the season due to his lack of "mental readiness" to play in Philadelphia. He's absorbed numerous fines from the Sixers for missing practices and games, and has made it pretty generally known that he does not intend to play another game in Philly.

Sixers GM Daryl Morey, however, has remained steadfast in his promise that he will not trade Simmons unless he gets a "difference-maker" back in return. Adding another 20% of the league into the available mix this coming Wednesday seems to be the catalyst to invigorate trade talks.

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