With less than a month to go before the NBA market closes, the Philadelphia 76ers are still evaluating all possible options for the future of Ben Simmons.
As reported by the journalist Yahoo Sports Chris Haynes, the Pennsylvania franchise, has had recent talks with the Sacramento Kings to test an operation focused on Simmons and De’Aaron Fox. However, Haynes stresses that it was a mere orientation approach and not a formal negotiation.
While the Kings are receiving increasing interest in Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, they still plan to build their project around this duo. Thus, those operations that could materialize in their offices would point to other coveted pieces such as Marvin Bagley, Buddy Hield or Harrison Barnes.
“You definitely can’t help but think about a trade because we’re having problems,” Fox said. “A change of scenery changes everything. I have been here for five years. I have built a life here, a family here. But once I’m on the court, all of that goes away.”
Fox is in the first year of the five-year, $163 million maximum contract he signed in November. However, his numbers have suffered in this first half of the season: he averages 20.9 points and 5.1 assists in 34.3 minutes per game.
For his part, the last thing known about Simmons’ situation is that his agent, Rich Paul, has met with the 76ers to clarify his future once and for all. Among the possible interested teams, the Atlanta Hawks have also joined.
(Cover photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)