White season for Ben Simmons? Although you should always be wary of rumors as the trade deadline approaches, the trend in Philadelphia seems to be one of patience. This is what Daryl Morey “himself” confirmed recently, explaining that a rapid transfer from the Australian was “less likely than likely”.
The Athletic thus confirms that the Sixers are ready to do without their All-Star all campaign, just to set up a “sign-and-trade” for a star in the next offseason.
Daryl Morey’s “dream” would be to get his hands on James Harden, who has not extended in Brooklyn and who will therefore be a free agent next summer (by refusing his “player option”). But even if “The Beard” extends to the Nets, there will be many more options for the GM during the offseason, even if it weighs down this Sixers campaign.
A few touches with Sacramento, Atlanta and Charlotte
For now, the hottest leads lead to Sacramento and Atlanta, with both clubs interested in Ben Simmons. But Philadelphia is not going to sell off its player and would have asked for Tyrese Haliburton as well as multiple first rounds of the Kings Draft, or John Collins and multiple first rounds of the Hawks Draft, which should also recover the contract of Tobias Harris since the Sixers do not don’t think a Harris-Collins-Embiid triplet is viable in today’s NBA…
Recently, the Hornets would also have inquired, without it going very far.
The Athletic explains that the Sixers have also discussed an exchange around Domantas Sabonis or Pascal Siakam, but the main thing for Daryl Morey is to surround Joel Embiid as well as possible, and allow him to play the title in the short term. With this in mind, it is not really inside that the GM of the club therefore intends to look.
But can James Harden really leave the Nets to join Joel Embiid at the Sixers? And what are the fallback solutions if “The Beard” decides to stay with Kevin Durant in New York?
