Pistons’ Jerami Grant Among Players On 76ers’ List For Ben Simmons

Pistons forward Jerami Grant is among those on the 76ers’ list of about 30 potential targets that they would seek in a Ben Simmons trade, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Along with Grant, the list also includes Nets guard James Harden, Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Wizards guard Bradley Beal, as reported by The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Harden was confirmed by Pompey.

Amick was the first to report that the Sixers have a list of acceptable players in a trade for Simmons, the star guard/forward who seems unlikely to play for the team again.

Per Pompey, the Sixers and Pistons have engaged in discussions on a trade involving Simmons and Grant. The framework of the discussed deal would involve Grant, “another forward, a young player, and a draft pick in exchange for Simmons,” Pompey wrote.

A source told Pompey that the Sixers may also be seeking forward Saddiq Bey and forward/center Kelly Olynyk, though it appears the Pistons are hesitant to move Bey.

As for Harden, several members of the front office think the team should hang on to Simmons for the season and pursue Harden in a sign-and-trade once it ends, Pompey reported.

Harden spent time with current 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey when Morey was GM with the Rockets and Harden was the star guard. Morey still thinks highly of Harden, Pompey noted.

Simmons, 25, has told the 76ers he is not yet “mentally ready” to practice or play, but supposedly has been working out with the St. Joseph’s University basketball team.

The Sixers have been fining Simmons, seemingly off and on, for missing games.

Along with the Pistons, the Cavaliers, Rockets, Spurs, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves, Kings, Pacers, Celtics and Raptors are among the teams that have engaged with the 76ers in talks for Simmons.

Sources have told Hoops Wire that they suspect a Simmons trade will involve multiple teams, as opposed to a straight-up deal between just the 76ers and one other team.

“Whether the 76ers will ever be able to actually land one of the targets on their list remains an open question, but the fact that they remain focused on players of that caliber is an indication they’re still content to take their time to resolve the Simmons situation,” wrote Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.

Several reports have suggested the 76ers are more likely to make a deal closer to Dec. 15, when players who signed offseason contracts are eligible to be traded. That would open up a much larger pool from which to choose.

Also, they could wait all the way until closer to the Feb. 10 trade deadline, though by that point, the season could be a lot closer to lost.

“Possible ownership pressure, fan frustration, and a handful of other factors will have to be taken into account,” Adams wrote, relaying what had been reported by Amick.