Raptors Have Had Most Serious Ben Simmons Trade Talks With 76ers To Date

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Philadelphia 76ers continue to maintain hope of trading Ben Simmons in a package to the Portland Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard, but discussions continue with other teams.

According to Bleacher Report, talks between the Sixers and the Toronto Raptors are considered to be the most advanced of any that have been had on Simmons. Philadelphia is interested in acquiring Kyle Lowry from the Raptors, as they were at last season's trade deadline.

"The overwhelming expectation around the NBA remains that Philadelphia will trade Simmons before the start of training camp," writes Jake Fischer at Bleacher Report.

Simmons is signed through the 24-25 season and will make $40.3 million in the final season.

Via Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

[Warren Mitchell]

Siakim ?

[DarthTeufel]

Sixers fans think they are getting Lillard or Beal for him when this guys value is super low right now. It will probably be Lowry.

[alienchild]

Fischer sure craves attention. Must really need those Bleacher Report clicks.

[Mak]

No they have not. Raptors do not leak and Raptors do not want Simmons.

[chyau.00]

no way masai will bring a kardashian diva north of the borders. that is just a disaster waiting to happen.

[Lateral Quicks]

No they have not. Raptors do not leak and Raptors do not want Simmons.

Masai doesn't like to rebuild, so I have little doubt he's looking to upgrade the roster and make a deepish run in the playoffs. With FVV the starting PG of the foreseeable future, it makes little sense to bring Lowry back. If he can sign-and-trade Lowry for Simmons, I think he would do it despite Simmons' awful contract. At the end of the day it would make the team more balanced and better going forward. It would be fun to see OG/Simmons/Siakam wreak havoc on the defensive end, and run the floor offensively. The half court offense would be a serious problem though - hopefully the #4 pick could help with that.

There's still a remote possibility Simmons can develop a more consistent shot. He does so much well on the court already, that if he could just bump up his percentages to say .550/.350/700, he'd be so much better and closer to living up to that contract.

If Morey wants more than Lowry in the deal though, Masai should hang up the floor. There's too much risk with Simmons and his contract for the Raptors to sweeten the deal.

[the_process]

Sixers fans think they are getting Lillard or Beal for him when this guys value is super low right now. It will probably be Lowry.

That would make the Sixers worse and with less assets.

So no, if Toronto trades for Simmons, it will be for a lot more than the groupthink value here on RealGM.

[meekrab]

Philly leverage shrinking by the day, everybody knows they have to get this toxic loser off their team and are asking "why should we take on your toxic loser who makes 140 million over the next four years?"

[kalel123]

Speaks to lack of traction Sixers are getting on Ben Simmons talk more than the "seriousness" of talks between Raptors and Sixers. Probably due to the fact that Sixers are asking for too much at a point where they'd be selling very low. Morey needs to get his head out of the gutter and realize he's not getting a Lillard or Beal for Simmons.

[2020]

How the phuck is Simmons set to make phorty million per year when he can't even make a phree throw?

[In The City]

The motivating factor possibly for the Lowry/Simmons trade is Lowry's desire to play in front of his hometown, family, and friends (along with winning a chip there).
Masai is under pressure somewhat because Lowry could just sign with Philly and avoid the sign and trade altogether.