As free agency starts to slow down, rosters around the NBA are beginning to take shape. But in Philadelphia, the future of Ben Simmons still remains very up in the air.
The 76ers were reportedly shopping their starting point guard prior to this year’s NBA Draft and headed into free agency. However, the team’s high asking price has deterred others from taking a swing at the former No. 1 pick.
On Thursday, a bombshell report from NBA reporter Jason Dumas claimed that Simmons “has cut off communication” with most of the Sixers organization and that almost everything between the team and the point guard is going through agent Rich Paul. That would certainly be an escalation from either side and signal that the 25-year-old wants out more than previously thought.
According to Dumas, Simmons remains open to going to one team: the Golden State Warriors. Dumas did make sure to note that the former No. 1 overall doesn’t have much leverage to push his way out and onto a specific team, especially the Warriors.
Source: Ben Simmons has cut off communication with basically everyone in the Sixers organization. Everything is going thru his agent, Rich Paul. Ben is open to going to the GSWs though he doesn’t have much leverage in the situation.
— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) August 5, 2021
The latest report is intriguing for a few reasons, with the most notable one being that Simmons and the Warriors have already been connected in trade rumors. According to multiple reports last week, prior to the draft, Golden State turned down an offer from the 76ers for Simmons that would’ve sent James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, 2021 draft picks No. 7 /No. 14 (Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody) and two future first-round picks to the Bay Area.
That’s a steep asking price from Sixers GM Daryl Morey, for a point guard that shot an abysmal 34 percent from the free throw line in the playoffs and showed hesitancy with the ball on offense. Simmons also averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game this past season, all of which were career lows.
However, the three-time All-Star has shown a unique play-making ability and is one of the most versatile defenders in the league. His fit with the Warriors, where he would be surrounded by multiple shooters, would be fascinating to watch.
Golden State and Philadelphia still have plenty of time to strike a deal before the start of next season. But, Morey will need to lower his asking price, or Simmons will stay put with the 76ers.
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