As the Philadelphia 76ers and NBA All-Star Ben Simmons saga drags on, there have been two teams that have emerged as being the most aggressive in pursuing a trade centered around him.
The Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks, who took full advantage of his meltdown in the 2021 postseason, are the teams that are linked as being in contact with the 76ers about a deal.
Of the two, the Kings seem to have an edge should a deal get done. Desperate to snap their 15-year playoff drought, Sacramento is willing to take on Tobias Harris, who is owed nearly $77 million through 2024, along with Simmons. That is not something Atlanta is willing to do right now, which would require a better return package for the 76ers if they do not get the salary relief they are seeking.
While both teams would love to bring on Simmons, they know that the 76ers have plans of their own. It is becoming more and more of an open secret that Daryl Morey is holding out hope that he can acquire James Harden for the second time in his career as a general manager.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons Remains In Contact With These Two Teams
Morey was with the Houston Rockets when Harden was acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Before he was acquired by the Nets, Morey was again locked in negotiations to land Harden from the Rockets.
Knowing that may ultimately be the Philadelphia 76ers’ plan, the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks have contingency plans in place. Their contingency trade option is Jerami Grant of the Detroit Pistons.
Sacramento and Atlanta are joining a long list of teams that are suitors for Jerami Grant. The Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves have all been linked to him. The Chicago Bulls have as well, but they are trying to figure out a deal that would not include second-year power forward Patrick Williams.
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However, there are some hurdles to overcome in acquiring him outside of the compensation the Pistons would require. Grant is currently recovering from a thumb injury that has had him sidelined a few weeks and will keep him sidelined a little longer. That could impact the asking price.
His impending contract situation is another thing the team acquiring him has to take into consideration. Grant has made it clear he wants to cash in on his next contract, reportedly hoping to land a four-year, $112 million deal from the Pistons.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons Remains In Contact With These Two Teams
So, whichever team lands Jerami Grant, if he is traded, not only has to sacrifice assets to Detroit but commit a significant amount of long-term money to him as well. That could slow his market down, as all of the aforementioned teams have an established pecking order already and Grant would not be at the top of it as he wishes.
