The Philadelphia 76ers have started the year off 2-1, leading many to wonder how good they might be if they weren’t currently dealing with the Ben Simmons situation.
Simmons, for the uninitiated, is locked in a feud with Daryl Morey and the front office. He desperately wants to be traded. The organization is willing to deal him, but only for the right price. He attempted to hold out to force Philly’s hand, only to get pressured back onto the team via significant financial strain.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Morey appeared on 97.5 The Fanatic and suggested that it may take years for Simmons to get traded.
“You’re going to think I’m kidding, I’m not,” he said. “This could (go on for) 4 years. … We’re in the prime of Joel’s career…Either Ben Simmons is playing for us, or we have to get back a difference maker.”
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union clearly aren’t shy. https://t.co/XVprdKabks
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 26, 2021
Unsurprisingly, this week, it came out that Morey’s sentiments there were a gross exaggeration. Philly will deal Simmons sooner rather than later – the franchise is simply trying to regain some semblance of leverage.
“League sources concur that no Simmons trade is imminent and that Morey is likely to wait until after Dec. 15 when more players are eligible to be dealt leaguewide before he pursues a deal with greater intent,” NBA insider Marc Stein reported.
This debacle is rough for everyone. The Sixers are missing a key component of their team. Simmons feels terrible and is reportedly treating 76ers employees poorly. It’s just a bad situation for everyone. The only thing that can resolve it is a trade. Will that ultimately happen any time soon? Time will tell.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
