76ers Rumors: Reviewing Latest Trade Chatter Before 2022 Deadline Day

As the NBA races toward this year's trade deadline, the ongoing standoff between the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons remains the wildest story in the league.

The 2022 trade deadline is on Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. ET, and by then all 30 teams will have to finalize negotiations for the remainder of the season in hopes to improve their chances to compete.

There are many potential trades in the works, but all eyes will be on Philadelphia as time is running out for it to resolve its dispute with Simmons. The 25-year-old made headlines over the summer when he requested a trade.

The starting point guard checked in with the team's medical staff for an evaluation in October. However, he hasn't suited up for the organization this season, stating he isn't mentally prepared to play.

As the Aussie continues to hold out, his name has appeared among high-profile trade rumors all year. A possible move to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for James Harden is one of the more notable scenarios being suggested.

76ers Are 'Unlikely' to Trade Ben Simmons Before the 2022 NBA Draft

Matt York/Associated Press

Although there have been consistent reports and speculation surrounding Simmons, Daryl Morey holds all the cards.

Philadelphia's president of basketball operations is determined to trade its star guard for a high-value player, but this could mean the 2018 Rookie of the Year will stay put until the season is over.

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers are unlikely to trade Simmons ahead of the 2022 NBA draft. This seems consistent with Morey's statement from Jan. 20, in which he said moving Simmons at the deadline was "less likely than likely."

The Sixers may try to make an offer for Harden, and Brooklyn could be open to a trade. However, Pompey reported that any conversations about a deal have been "unproductive."

This situation has been at a stalemate for months, and it doesn't seem like it will end any time soon. Simmons wants to leave, and that's certainly not going to change. Meanwhile, Morey has stubbornly rejected trades for him in search of a better suitor.

The brewing unrest in Brooklyn could cause one of its big three to depart, but that may not happen just yet. Still, a Simmons-for-Harden deal is possible, although it may happen over the summer.

Philadelphia Pursued Tyrese Haliburton and De'Aaron Fox

Randall Benton/Associated Press

Sacramento has been a top potential destination for Simmons for some time, as he expressed interest in going to a California team. However, talks between the Kings and the 76ers came to a halt back in January.

Matt Moore of Action Network said: "The Kings had talks with the Sixers for Ben Simmons, but the asking price was both De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton—no surprise given Philly's consistent asking price for Simmons being astronomical—but eventually reports surfaced the Kings were taking both off the board."

Fox and Haliburton would've been a great pick-up for Philadelphia, but that's a lot to ask of Sacramento. The two rising stars are the future of the organization, and there are still several valid questions about Simmons' contribution to any team willing to gamble on him.

He's still young and his playmaking abilities could make up for the loss, but it's unclear if he could take on the load as a lead scorer. That's a concern that will stop anyone from exchanging their top assets for the three-time All-Star.

Fox is averaging 21.0 points per game this season. It's hard to imagine Simmons could quickly step in and fill the void Fox would leave behind on offense when he hasn't put up those kinds of numbers yet.

The Brooklyn Nets Are Interested in Seth Curry

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

The speculation around Brooklyn and Philadelphia will be a top story for the rest of the week. If the two teams don't pull the trigger on a trade, it could set up negotiations over the offseason.

This potential move could include another guard. According to Bill Simmons of The Ringer, the Nets are "open" to discussions with the Sixers regarding a Simmons-Harden deal, but Seth Curry "has to be in the deal."

This is interesting, but Curry would actually complement Simmons well. The 25-year-old's limitations as a shooter will make him a tough sell for some teams, but adding a consistent three-point specialist could sweeten the deal.

Curry is averaging a career-high 15.3 points per game and shooting .406 percent from behind the arc. Nevertheless, the veteran point guard has been a great addition to the 76ers, and the team hasn't included him in trade talks so far. So, it seems like he will remain with the organization.