Ben Simmons

The situation between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers seems to get uglier with every passing day. There have been reports that Simmons is planning to hold out of training camp and wants to be dealt, but in reality, he has very little control over that and the 76ers plan on making that very clear.

Philadelphia expects Simmons to eventually return to the team, which seems like wishful thinking. But, if he doesn’t, the team will levy fines against him for anything he misses, whether it is training camp, preseason or regular-season games.

Ben Simmons’ value is already relatively low, otherwise, the 76ers would have been able to swing a deal for him already. They are not getting deals they deem as equal value and are going to hold onto him until they do, which is their prerogative. However, this isn’t going to help improve his value.

If Simmons really wanted to be moved, he would do whatever he can to help in the process. That has not been the case and the two sides are essentially at a standstill. There is plenty of interest in him, but the trade offers are pennies on the dollar.

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Being uninterested in acquiring draft picks to flip for another player limits the 76ers’ options as well. The Portland Trail Blazers are not going to surrender Damian Lillard in a trade for Ben Simmons, so they will have to settle for something else.

Ultimately, it will be the Minnesota Timberwolves that get a deal done. Even if they have to get a third team involved, they will figure something out to help get the franchise on a winning track with Ben Simmons at the heart of it.