Ben Simmons Trade Rumors: 76ers Want 'At Least' 4 1st-Round Picks and All-Star Player

The Philadelphia 76ers are holding out for a king's ransom in trade talks involving Ben Simmons, according to The Athletic's David Aldridge:

"Multiple league sources maintain that Philly's asking price for Ben Simmons on the eve of free agency remains sky-high. At minimum, the Sixers are seeking control of at least four future first-round picks via direct trade or pick swaps, along with an All-Star-level player in most (but not all) scenarios. Philly has engaged in discussions with teams around the league since mid-July."

If that desired return seems ambitious for a player who disappeared on offense in the Sixers' Eastern Conference Semifinals loss to the Atlanta Hawks—especially in the fourth quarters during that series—well, that's fair. Simmons remains averse to shooting from the perimeter.

It's also fair to question if he can be anything more than the third-best player on a championship team. Such a team would need an excellent scoring option on the perimeter to close out playoff games when the floor shrinks, the game slows down and it becomes harder to hide bad offensive players. 

But the Sixers will make a few counterarguments to that assessment of Simmons' value:

• He's only 25 and has yet to hit his prime. 
• He's already a three-time All-Star who has made the playoffs in every season he's played during his career. 
• He's arguably the league's most versatile defensive player—13 NBA coaches polled by The Athletic said he was the best defensive player this year, not Rudy Gobert—and one of the best passers as well. He's also a force in transition and is dangerous when surrounded by perimeter shooting.
• He's also under contract through the 2024-25 season. For smaller-market teams that may struggle to attract high-profile free agents, the chance to trade for Simmons and keep him around for a while should be enticing. 

"Size, speed, strength, ability to guard smalls, ability to guard bigs, what more do you want? He has it all" a coach told The Athletic regarding Simmons' defensive abilities. "Length, shot-blocking ability. They're such a dynamic team when he's on the floor. Quick in the passing lanes to get steals. That's his contribution to the game."

But the NBA is often described as a make-or-miss league, and it's hard to make shots if you aren't willing to take them. If Simmons' trade value is indeed perceived to be at an all-time low around the league, NBA teams aren't going to give the Sixers their best offers. 

In turn, the Sixers don't need to be in a rush to deal their young star.

In the long term, a pairing of Joel Embiid and Simmons doesn't appear likely to result in a championship. But in the short term, the Sixers shouldn't rush into a deal if it doesn't return them either a star player who keeps Embiid's championship window open or the assets they can flip for such a player down the line.

The Sixers seem to want both. That isn't likely to happen.