Sixers star Ben Simmons has been in the NBA’s oddest situation all summer, but Rockets guard John Wall may have surpassed him this week.
Wall and Houston management have reportedly reached an agreement to work together to find him a new team, and he won’t play in any games until that happens. Wall will report to training camp and will remain around the team, but there are no plans for him to have any on-court action. Wall reportedly hasn’t asked for a trade, but at age 31 and with his history of injuries, he’s not in the long-term plans for the rebuilding Rockets.
The major impediment to dealing Wall is his contract, which will pay him $44.3MM this season, with a $47.4MM player option for 2022/23. Wall could theoretically make himself more tradable by agreeing to turn down the option in hopes of working out a long-term contract with his new team, just as Chris Paul did with the Suns.
Also limiting the market for Wall is his sparse playing time over the past three seasons, brought on by heel surgery and a ruptured Achilles tendon. He managed to play 40 games last season, averaging 20.7 points and 8.7 assists in 32.2 minutes per night, but wasn’t ever used in both games of back-to-back situations and was shut down in late April with a hamstring injury.
The Rockets are reportedly unwilling to part with multiple first-round picks as an incentive for a team to take Wall and are reluctant to take on unwanted long-term salaries, which further limits their options for finding a trade partner.
Simmons, of course, has been the subject of trade rumors since his baffling performance in the playoff loss to Atlanta. He took offense to comments made by coach Doc Rivers after the conclusion of that series and has threatened to hold out of training camp if the team doesn’t trade him by then.
The Kings, Timberwolves and Warriors have been among the teams most prominently mentioned as potential landing spots for Simmons, but sources say Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has set a very steep asking price. Simmons is reportedly “in step” with Philadelphia’s efforts to move him, but has expressed a desire to go to the Lakers, Clippers or Warriors rather than a rebuilding organization.
Numerous reporters have expressed doubt about whether Wall or Simmons will be traded any time soon, but we want your opinion. Which of these players do you expect to wind up with a new team first? Please leave your answer in the comments section.
Good question
Simmons, easily.
Wall not going anywhere unless rockets attach picks with that boat anchor
….or take back an equal boat anchor which….why bother then?
What other anchor on 2/92M?
4/$147M?
Agreed. Wall isn’t going anywhere unless some fool organization gives the Rockets some kind of future value. Houston literally acquired him in order to get another 1st rounder (and dump Westbrook) because they’re rebuilding. They don’t have salary cap issues, so his salary means little to them. They can just bench him.
They need the picks. There’s no logical reason to attach picks to dump his salary.
same time. 3+ team trade.
Nice one !
who’s best fit destination for a dame, wiggins, wall, simmons, and love blockbuster?
Id say Ben, teams want to see “Right Now” Wall…wait…..Final answer- Ben
Houston has time on it’s side…Id rather see them hardball Wall on a buyout than “help him out” of Houston to where he wants to go next….. And Im certainly not attaching anything to Wall, he can rot on the ledger for 365 and we can see where we stand next yr on an expiring Wall
@cap
you speak of Wall as if he’s the bad guy demanding a trade. The tone of the reports I’ve read suggest otherwise. Houston wants to dedicate minutes to the kids and Wall would like to play. Seems like Houston and Wall are on good terms.
If Wall is truly determined to go to another team all he has to do is wait until next summer when he has a player option, opt out and become a free agent.
No wait two yrs and get the 97 mill from idiot Rockets. Then go where he wants.
Dumbest question ever…
Simmons is 1000% going to be. Simmons can be traded for something resembling a real trade package, and is in a toxic situation where they are shopping him. Wall is only moving in some weird Love trade there are literally no other contracts in the NBA with near the negative value of his. Sure if the 6ers work something out and Wall is bought out then playing on minimum deal I mean sure he could get dealt first while Simmons and the 6ers get back together for the long haul, but that doesnt really seem like the point of the question.
Unless HOU is so over paying him to send him and picks to OKC or some Love trade happens Wall is in HOU till a buyout. Almost no teams can even build a trade for his 44M in contract, and why would you want to trade for someone with Simmons shooting % without any of the upside for more money.
Simmons is dealt first. I like to think there is something going on with Wall to be in this situation. Rather sits personal family life or legal matters, something has to have him “tied up”.
Ben for sure. Teams actually want him.
I laughed out loud 5 minutes
You are comparing Big Ben to Big Wall
You can gang Big Ben on the Big Wall?
It is a bit funny comparing Optimus Dime to a “point guard” who shoots just 14.7% from 3-point range, but everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.
I do think Simmons will get traded first. Just because the timing though. Later in the season I could see a “contender” bite on Wall if they had the cap space. Problem is that contenders don’t typically have cap space or expendable players to match salary. If it weren’t for the injury history or the salary I’d rather have Wall down the stretch or for a playoff run as he brings far more to the table then Simmons when he does play.
That’s the thing, though. Nobody, especially a contender, has the cap space for Wall.
Ben for John Wall??
Terrible trade for the Sixers
So you’re saying it’s likely Philly would pull the trigger on that one?
The only reason it’s Simmons is because the Sixers are being forced to because he demanded it. The Rockets are in no hurry to get coerced into making a bad trade, which is exactly what it going to happen in Philly once they lower their demands.
Dude you got no credibility. You going to compare a Contender to the worst team in Basketball last yr. Nobody cares where Wall goes except Rockets GM. Rockets players don’t care. Owner doesn’t care. The whole basketball world cares where Ben goes. He changes everything for two teams. OVERNIGHT
The question of who gets tdaded first is about the situation they’re in, not a moratorium on who’s the best.
Why not trade Walls for Simmons … with some picks thrown in here or there ???
Terrible return for the Sixers
Simmons to be traded to wolves before season starts.
Russell, Prince, McDaniels, a first and 2 seconds for Simmons, Springer and Reed.
Sixers just have to take the loss before thing get really ugly. Russell will return to form and we will be the 4th seed in the east. Simmons goes to Minny the place he probably wants least to be other than the Sixers. TWolves become a playoff team, Simmons actually improves his shot a little and they look to be the real deal for 2022 with Ben Ant and KAT.
Switch D-Lo out for Beasley and Maxey has to be included as well. Then the T-wolves would make the trade. I know its business at the end of the day but you don’t trade your franchise player’s best friend for a potential team cancer.
What drugs you smoking?
Firstly Beasley who cares they guy was just in jail, all he is is a shooter and we have Curry so no thanks. Secondly we aren’t giving away Maxey for free either. Thirdly Ben is a much much much better player than Russell. He’s an all star, all nba team, steals leader and just missed DPOY. Russell has had a couple decent season and a few injuries of late
Twolves send Russel, Okogie, Prince and a lottery protected 1st in 24 for Simmons and even that is an overpay.
Absolutely no way is that an overpay.
Simmons, is a 3 time all star, all nba third team, 2 time all defensive first team specialist who just missed the DPOY last year while leading the league in steals. What has Russell done, he’s a 1 time all star. He’s also missed nearly half the games his team has played in the last two years because of injuries.
On career averages Ben averages 1.7 points less, 5.5 more rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 more blocks per game. While shooting 4 less shots per game than Russell too.
Comparing Ben to Russell is like LeBron to TJ Warren or Curry to Isiah Thomas.
I understand his value is really low right now hence the SIXERS should be willing to take less than market value for him. Russell Prince and McDaniels plus first would represent a good return considering the circumstances. TWolves are getting back a generational talent, with elite defence and great playmaking ability who can turn this team around. The fact you can’t see that says a lot.
If the wolves don’t trade for Ben and run it back with what they currently have I bet you everything in my wallet they don’t make the playoffs again.
McDaniels is off the table. With the trade I proposed you get two 3 and D wings for your bench and a shooter for your backcourt. Fits the 76ers needs. Twolves get defense, not a greater rebounder, with good court vision and with no shot, just what they need to complement their pieces.
Simmons is at best a secondary or complementary player, Russel is the same thing.
Obviously you don’t k is the Sixers needs.
We have the likes of Green, Thybulle, Korkmaz and Ninag which fill the role of 3 and D wings already. As for a shooter in our backcourt that’s Curry and Shakes role.
Simmons not a great rebounder (in reference to trading away Russell and Prince). Simmons rebounds better than the two of them put together. If you play him at the point, he’s probably the second best rebounder after Russ and if you play him as a SF he’s still probably top 10 in rebounds.
Perfect Trade here! Wall for Simmons! Perfect spot for Ben to try to shine and give up in the end. But wall on the sixers asking has he stays healthy.
Terrible return for the Sixers
Hasn’t PHI dissed Ben enough yet, SMH!
All the trades mentioned here are to send Ben to a bad team, except MIN… I think Ben has clearly mentioned he won’t no part of a bad team, he wants to go to a team that is contending, LAL, or pretending to contend, LAC + GSW… so no point in keep mentioning CLE, HOU, SAC, POR & so on…
By now with his play & hard work he has earned the respect, that is a fact!
The move is HOUSTON move to make Wall accept an hard buyout.
Houston is on rebuild, so no reasons ti give picks… No reasons for any team to accept Wall’s contract
So the move is simple: dear Wall, if you find a team younare welcome, remember: no 1sts attached!
If not (99,9%) you are out. Obiouvsly if you want a buyout…
Some thinking here^. More thinking, the announcements are to get Fertitta to accept paying the buyout.
Simmons to NY Liberty for Sabrina?
Sabrina is so overrated – and inconsistent. And slow. And mediocre. More hype than substance.
Gotta throw in a pick, as well, to get Simmons in a Liberty uniform.
Terrible return for the Sixers
If Simmons doesn’t report does he get paid? Can they fine him?
They could fine him a certain amount per day, or for each practice he misses. Not clear yet if that’s the plan.
They hope will be NBA to fine him, so they can be “clean”
IS IT A TIE IF THEY ARE TRADED FOR EACH OTHER?
WHY IS THIS IN ALL CAPS???
BECAUSE…
THESE TIMES CALL FOR THAT!!!!
So do they just with hold his pay? Or pay him and then deduct the fine? How does that work?
By October 1 Ben will have received 50% of his pay the other 50% will be in 12 installments one each month. If he chooses to sit he will have an ample cushion to pay fines with should things unfold that way. Personally I think Ben stays a sixer
Simmons >russ : dlo is overated.and injury prone. trade simmons to king is better.haliburton, harison barnes,2 1st, 2 2nd
Yeah I’ve thought about that two but I’m all seriousness Barnes and Tyrese vs Russell Prince and McDaniels I’d rather the second but only just.
I just think Russell is more of a win now than Tyrese who is still a couple years away. Prince vs Barnes, not really much in it, and then an additional first vs McDaniels. Personally I like McDaniels, think he would be great as a stretch 4 off the bench
I’d say Simmons will be traded first. Wall’s contract is an albatross, plus Philly is looking to win now. They have more urgency to trade a non-contributor than Houston does. Wall reportedly will be a non-contributor by mutual agreement, Simmons one way or the other will be mainly a liability as opposed to an asset to Philly.
Chuckle chuckle, Minnesota starts trade talks with philly at Edwards or morey is getting paid 7 figures for giggles. Sixers aren’t bluffing.
^^^This
Actually they did use John Wall for both games of a back-to-back in March right before the AS break and then twice more later that month. But people still act like he’s completely broken down even though he probably could play a lot more games this season than expected if they could just find a team willing to give him a chance.
People act like he is broke because he cant do what he used to. Also 20PPG means nothing with sub 30% 3pt shooting from a guard. Dude was all empty stats. Also Wall is a major defensive liability.
Who cares? Bunch of spoiled individuals.
Ben doesn’t have a trade clause. So he goes wherever Sixers send him. I’m sure they’d want him to agree to location. Morey has messed this up since day 1. The WORLD knew it was coming to this. He should of been moved at the draft. They would of gotten most value. Now they are stalling for best value. That no one wants to give them.
Simmons doesn’t need a ntc. All he has to do is make enough noise that he’s not going and/or not extending with a destination he doesn’t want to go. That tanks Philly’s return. That’s almost as good as a ntc.
He does have a 15% trade kicker though, and no one wants to trade for a player that does not want to be there.
Morey I’m here to help. Free of charge lol
Kings don’t want Buddy or Bagley. OK
Halliburton will be an All Star in Philly. For yrs to come. Bagley will find his mojo next to Embiid. Buddy gives you the shooting and scoring. Maxey is already complaining. OK
Ben and Maxey >>>>>>>> Kings
Halliburton, Buddy, Bagley, #1 pick >> Sixers
Lol, not as bad as sili…but on that level
Always knew that scumbag Lebron would weasel Simmons on his team. The worst for the both of them. Screw Rich Paul the collusion Superman.