Hornets Express Interest In Trading For 76ers’ Ben Simmons

The Hornets are among the teams interested in pursuing available 76ers star guard/forward Ben Simmons in a trade, according to Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

While the Sixers don’t appear to be close to a deal, they remain in engaged in talks ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline. There have yet to be any significant talks between the Hornets and 76ers on a Simmons trade, with Charania and Amick reporting the Hornets are at this point merely registering interest.

It seems the Sixers are hoping to hold out for a star player in return, particularly a star guard. It is believed the Hornets would not surrender point guard LaMelo Ball in any deal, but could include backcourt-mate Terry Rozier as part of a trade package.

Along with the Hornets, the 76ers have been linked to the Hawks and the Nets. As we relayed earlier, Philadelphia appears to have a potential framework to a deal with Atlanta. The 76ers may also be willing to hold off on a Simmons deal until the offseason, in hopes of landing Nets guard James Harden, as we relayed right here.

Simmons, 25, has been seeking a trade and the 76ers have sought to move him since this past offseason. He has yet to appear in a game.

Simmons is 6-foot-11 and was the No. 1 overall pick in 2016. He averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists, shooting 56 percent from the field, in 58 games last season. He is also considered one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders.