Despite the Philadelphia 76ers being in an extremely difficult position, at least six teams are interested in a Ben Simmons trade.
The Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, and San Antonio Spurs still have Simmons on their radar.
A league source said the Timberwolves, Pacers, Cavaliers, Pistons, Raptors and Spurs are still inquiring about Ben Simmons’ availability.
Simmons vs. Sixers: An inside look at a messy NBA divorce https://t.co/pF1YNcWHBK via @phillyinquirer
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 2, 2021
Unfortunately for the Sixers, most of those teams are unwilling to part with any player Philadelphia wants.
Minnesota won’t’ give up Karl-Anthony Towns or Anthony Edward, but they could send D’Angelo Russell, Jaden McDaniels, and future first-round draft picks.
Still, a Towns, Edward, and Simmons lineup could catapult the Timberwolves into the playoffs, downgrading those future picks.
Rumors had the Raptor’s Pascal Siakam as possible trade bait for Simmons, but according to Siakam’s agent Todd Ramasar, the five-year veteran wants to stay in Toronto.
On ESPN’s The Jump, Brian Windhorst called the Indiana Pacers the “sleeper team” to watch in the Simmons’ trade saga.
Windhorst believes the Pacers can make a deal that would be hard for other teams to beat, mentioning players such as Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, Caris LeVert, T. J.Warren, and Jeremy Lamb.
The Cleveland Cavaliers could throw their bench at Philly, including veteran Kevin Love, but if there’s one player who could help the Sixers, it’s point guard Ricky Rubio.
“If the Sixers needed a salary to make a Simmons deal work with the Cavs, they would be much more inclined to take back Ricky Rubio‘s expiring $17.8 million deal,” sources told Sam Amico of Hoops Wire.
Detroit could offer Philly Jerami Grant, Corey Joesph, or Kelly Olynck, and a 2026 first-round pick.
Lastly, ESPN’s Bobby Marks believes the Spurs have a treasure trove of young talent they could trade.
“I think it’s what you’re willing to give up. If it’s one of your [Spurs] two guards, certainly with [Dejounte] Murray or [Derrick] White… I wouldn’t certainly put Keldon Johnson into the conversation. I think he’s a keeper.”
Absent for the conversation are the three California teams Simmons said he would prefer to play for.
