NBA Trade Rumors: Ben Simmons Update, Blazers Rejected Offer From 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons remain at a stalemate, even as the team has begun to play games. The All-Star continues to refuse to report to the team, looking to be traded for the 2021-2022 NBA season.

With the regular season fast approaching and no trade imminent, the 76ers are holding out hope that Simmons will rejoin the roster. According to Stadium’s Shams Charania, Philadelphia’s front office, 76ers coach Doc Rivers and Rich Paul, Simmons’ agent, have remained in contact about trying to get Simmon back with the team.

Simmons, however, has not changed his stance and plans to never play another game for the 76ers.

Philadelphia is trying to trade Simmons, though they haven’t lowered their asking price to accommodate the disgruntled star. The 76ers are still seeking several first-round draft picks and an All-Star-caliber player in exchange for Simmons.

The 76ers asked the Portland Trail Blazers for three first-round picks and three draft swaps are part of a trade package for Simmons, according to Charania. Portland rejected the offer.

Any trade between Portland and Philadelphia would likely include guard CJ McCollum. The Indiana Pacers are viewed as a possible trade partner for the 76ers because guard Malcolm Brogdon could intrigue Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has designs of competing for a championship. Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game for the 76ers as they earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference a season ago. Simmons crumbled late in the playoffs, and Philadelphia was eliminated in Game 7 of their second-round matchup with the Atlanta Hawks.

Simmons has four years and approximately $147 million left on his contract. He won’t be paid as long as he continues to stay away from the team.

The 76ers open the regular season with a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 20.