Rumor: Ben Simmons Cuts Communication with Sixers, Open to Playing for Warriors
Could Ben Simmons to Golden State actually happen? Maybe. According to KRON4’s Jason Dumas Ben Simmons has apparently cut communications with the Sixers organization and is open to playing for the Warriors.
In his Thursday morning tweet Dumas also noted that Simmons’ agent, Rich Paul, founder of Klutch Sports, is now handling all correspondence with his client’s current team.
Source: Ben Simmons has cut off communication with basically everyone in the Sixers organization. Everything is going thru his agent, Rich Paul. Ben is open to going to the GSWs though he doesn’t have much leverage in the situation.
— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) August 5, 2021
We last heard the mention of Simmons and Golden State potentially pairing up last week when Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Sixers offered up Simmons to Golden State for the steep asking price of Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, both 2021 lottery picks as well as two future first round picks. The Warriors reportedly rushed to turn the offer down.
Dumas mentioned another important tidbit in his tweet as well. Simmons does not have any leverage in the trade request, meaning that Philadelphia doesn’t necessarily have to trade the three time all-star to a team of his choosing.
Later Dumas went onto the airways with 95.7 The Game’s The Morning Roast to discuss his report. He noted that Simmons is open to the California teams. So Golden State doesn’t appear to be the only destination that the Philly star is open to play for.
Jason Dumas on Ben Simmons: "He's open to the California teams is what I've been told. Joel Embiid has reached out to him several times since the end of the season. He hasn't returned Joel Embiid's calls ... he doesn't want to return to the 76ers. Damage has been done." https://t.co/CJhQ1YACFA
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) August 5, 2021
While the prospect of the Warriors gaining another all-star doesn’t sound bad the main caveat would be what the Sixers asking price is. Certainly one would think they would have to come up with a better offer than the one previously discussed. Also, we’ve seen(especially in the playoffs) that Simmons can be a liability when it comes to shooting and free throw shooting. Is that something the Warriors are willing to take on given the likely hefty return the Sixers will be asking for? Only time will tell.
In the meantime it seems the Warriors are fairly content with their roster as it is as the free agent pool is steadily thinning out. Jonathan Kuminga and Moses moody looked promising after their first summer league game. Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica have been signed to veteran minimum deals while Kent Bazemore left in free agency and Eric Paschall was traded to Utah for a future second round draft pick. Oh and Stephen Curry agreed to a four-year, $215M extension locking the two-time MVP in to contract until 2026.
My guess is that there are still plenty of hurdles that will need to be cleared before the Ben Simmons to Golden State marriage can get close to becoming a reality. As it stands, the odds of the trade actually happening don’t look great…yet.