While Ben Simmons looks good on the Sixers’ departure, the franchise reportedly had a gruesome demand when negotiating with the Spurs. For San Antonio, it’s bordering on disrespect.
After years of stagnating since joining the NBA, Ben Simmons is now at a pivotal point in his career. He can spend his summer working on his game, especially his shooting, and hope for a successful 2021/22 season. Or, he can decide to bet on his strengths, and relive a failed campaign. For the Australian, it is clear that something needs to change.
His fans, the 76ers and probably a good chunk of the NBA teams certainly think so. His missed playoffs have awakened some minds about him, and we are now awaiting a reaction from Simmons for the sequel. Its summer promises to be busy, which looks promising, at least on paper.
However, it is probably too late to avoid a trade. The 76ers have accelerated negotiations lately, suggesting that a trade may emerge in the coming weeks, or towards the draft for example. The problem is that the offers are far from satisfying the front office, who banged his fist on the table. At the same time, we understand better when we see the demand of the leaders with San Antonio.
The Philadelphia 76ers wanted four first-round draft picks, three pick swaps, and a young player from the Spurs in exchange for Ben Simmons, per @KevinOConnorNBA
(h/t @JeffGSpursZone | @ProCityHoops ) pic.twitter.com/GmH2tmiHFT
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) July 28, 2021
The 76ers wanted 4 first draft rounds, 3 tradeable picks, and a young player from the Spurs in exchange for Ben Simmons.
Let it be said: this will never happen. The Spurs have a good front office, which will never fall into this offer which seems totally lunar. Despite his playoffs, Simmons remains a good player, but not a superstar capable of transcending a team. Nobody will therefore let go of such a counterpart, and the 76ers must suspect it.
Either Daryl Morey is having fun, or the GM is visibly in total denial about his player. His rating is at the lowest in the league, already making the basic negotiations complicated. It will be interesting to see if Philly comes to her senses, because otherwise Simmons is very far from a trade.
The demand of the Sixers is totally crazy, enough to dissuade all the teams in the league. Hopefully Philly is open to keeping the Aussie, or the return to reality will be brutal.
