The NBA trade deadline is a month away and the Philadelphia 76ers are nowhere near closer to solving their Ben Simmons problem.
As you surely know, Simmons hasn’t played with the team all season after a dreaded postseason last year that saw the three-time All-Star completely fall apart.
Simmons doesn’t want to play in Philadelphia anymore and there is very little chance he ever will – he’s most certainly leaving, it’s just a matter of time.
However, the 76ers aren’t ready to deal him away unless they have a favorable offer on the table.
That leads us to where things stand now.
Big Meeting, No Progress
It was reported that Simmons’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, met with 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and general manager Elton Brand on Wednesday, and both parties walked away with no progress.
As ESPN put it, the sides “remain at a stalemate over the All-Star guard’s immediate future.”
ESPN Sources: Agent for Ben Simmons – Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul – met with Sixers’ Daryl Morey and Elton Brand to discuss status of stalemate today. Stances unchanged: Simmons no closer to playing this season – and Sixers determined to bring back a significant player in trade.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 12, 2022
It comes down to this: Simmons isn’t coming back to play for the 76ers and the asking price the team has for the player hasn’t created any interest across the NBA.
The 76ers are asking for a lot and no one is agreeing to their terms.
Morey made it clear that the team isn’t going to send Simmons away unless they get a return they believe is worthy of a star of his caliber.
Various reports have said that the Sixers are hoping for a top 25-caliber player in any trade talk but no teams with those sorts of players have come knocking at Philadelphia’s door.
Meanwhile, Paul said that Simmons was still experiencing mental health “hurdles” that prohibit him from playing with Philly.
So, for now, there is no movement in this drawn-out, dramatic saga.
What’s Next?
At some point, something has to give, right?
Few people thought we would be this far into the season with no resolution in the Simmons-Sixers feud but the meeting between Paul and Morey on Wednesday proves that this thing is far from over.
The problem is that Philadelphia has no urgency to get any sort of deal done.
The team is doing quite well without Simmons – in fact, they had won seven straight games before being taken down by the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
Right now, the team is in playoff contention as the fifth seed in the East with a record of 23-17.
The chemistry between players is strong and the leadership role of Joel Embiid is only growing.
It might not be enough to get them to the Finals but the 76ers are finding a rhythm without Simmons.
So they aren’t in a rush to trade him away for just anyone – they really want a sizable return for him.
Woj on Ben Simmons' trade status ahead of the February 10 trade deadline
Via "NBA Today"#NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/wIaZpFz8pP
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 🗣️ (@_Talkin_NBA) January 11, 2022
The next best hope for something to shake loose here probably comes when the season concludes and the NBA Draft approaches.
It’ll be then that teams are taking a stark, strong look at their futures – and perhaps someone is willing to couch up the assets needed to land Simmons.
Until then, the 76ers – and the entire NBA – will continue on as if Simmons just doesn’t exist.
NEXT: 3 Blockbuster Trades The 76ers Should Make