Cavs, Spurs, Pistons Among Teams Still Exploring Ben Simmons Trade

The Cavaliers are among the teams continuing to express interest in a trade for 76ers star guard/forward Ben Simmons, according Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Simmons, 25, has refused to report to training camp and is sticking to his stance of ever playing another game for Philadelphia. The Sixers, for their part, have been trying to trade Simmons since the end of last season.

Along with the Cavs, the Spurs, Pistons, Raptors, Timberwolves and Pacers are asking about Simmons’ availability, Pompey wrote.

While it’s hard to tell if any of those teams has an inside track, Pompey reported that agent Rich Paul tried to assist the 76ers in receiving in five-player trade package for Simmons in a three-team deal — but the 76ers’ asking price was too high.

Multiple reports have also suggested Philadelphia had been holding out to see if a bona fide star — such as Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard or Wizards guard Bradley Beal — would become available.

As an aside, the standoff between the 76ers and Simmons took another turn Friday, when the team did not give Simmons an expected advance payment of $8.25 million, per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

Meanwhile, sources told Hoops Wire the 76ers aren’t as interested in draft picks as they are younger players who could help them win now, such as Cavs guard and leading scorer Collin Sexton or Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon.

Most sources believe it will take a multi-team trade to move Simmons, as opposed to a straight-up deal between two teams.

“Offers for Simmons have thus far included draft picks or young players, not anything a contender like Philadelphia would want,” O’Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported. “And since nearly half the league is ineligible to be dealt until December 15, teams that might be willing to offer a veteran can’t do that yet.”

O’Connor added that “reasonable” offers for Simmons have already been made, but “acceptable” offers may not come until as late as January.