Simmons trade talks could heat up in the coming weeks
According to the latest from BetMGM, the Sacramento Kings have the third-highest odds to be Ben Simmons’ next team at +600 odds. The Kings are behind only the Golden State Warriors (+300_ and the Minnesota Timberwolves (+400) in terms of teams most likely to have Simmons on their opening night roster.
Here is the full spread via BetMGM:
Where will Ben Simmons play next season?
(CO & DC only) pic.twitter.com/cmXuZ6p2vp
— BetMGM (@BetMGM) August 31, 2021
On Tuesday, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Simmons officially asked the Sixers brass to trade him before the start of the season. Additional reporting from Pompey said that Simmons “wants to go to three California teams,” a nugget that has had Kings fans buzzing on the internet over the last 24 hours.
It remains to be seen what the Kings would have to send out to acquire Simmons, but Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reported on Tuesday that the Kings were unlikely to part with either Haliburton or Fox in a trade for Simmons, but could offer Buddy Hield. From the Sixers’ perspective, it’s hard to see what else on the Kings roster they would be interested in aside from Haliburton or Fox.
A package including one of Harrison Barnes or Buddy Hield plus Marvin Bagley and draft compensation just doesn’t seem like it would be even close enough to acquire someone of Simmons’ stature.
Could Davion Mitchell be someone the Sixers value highly and make a centerpiece of a Simmons trade? It’s possible, but if the Kings are serious about landing a three-time All-Star entering the prime of his career, then they are going to have to pony up to some level and trade away some talent that they like, whether it’s Haliburton, Mitchell or someone else.