In a column for SI.com, Chris Mannix makes the case that the Sixers should move sooner rather than later on a Ben Simmons trade, even if the team might be able to get a stronger return in the offseason. As Mannix argues, Joel Embiid is having an MVP-caliber season and the 76ers are a borderline title contender, so getting a couple good pieces in exchange for Simmons – who isn’t playing – could be enough to push the team over the top.
However, it doesn’t sound like the Sixers feel compelled to act yet. Acknowledging that Philadelphia’s stance has been “all over the place and difficult to read” over the last few months, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on NBA Today (video link) on Thursday that the club still appears prepared to extend its standoff with Simmons beyond February 10.
“The most recent conversations out of Philly to opposing teams in trade talks are that not only are the Sixers showing signs that they are willing to keep Ben Simmons past this trade deadline, but they have not given up on Ben Simmons reversing his field and playing for them this season,” Windhorst said. “… Now, I don’t think that this is a viable option, based on my conversations with Ben Simmons’ side, but it is what the Sixers are saying today.”
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- After a brief on-court altercation between Embiid and Pelicans rookie Jose Alvarado on Tuesday resulted in technical fouls for both players, Alvarado revealed on Thursday that the Sixers center was paying the $2,000 fine associated with his technical. Embiid explained to reporters, including Andrew Lopez of ESPN, why he covered the cost of Alvarado’s fine. “I just like his energy. He plays hard. He competes. Even when he picked up the tech, he wasn’t backing down,” Embiid said. “… I just felt like the least I can do because I made him pick up a tech and he doesn’t make as much as other guys in the league. I just felt like that was on me and I didn’t want him to lose that money because I’m sure we all need it.”
- Nets forward Kevin Durant has earned a $1.1MM bonus as a result of making the All-Star Game, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Even if Durant hadn’t been named an All-Star starter, he would’ve received that bonus if he appears in at least 50 games, the Nets make the playoffs, or the Nets win at least 43 games, so it was a virtual lock. The former MVP’s cap hit going forward will be unaffected, since the bonus had already been considered likely.
- Following the Knicks‘ loss to Miami on Wednesday, swingman Evan Fournier expressed frustration with the team’s inability to make in-game changes on offense to account for opposing defensive game plans. “We have to adapt. That’s the main thing,” Fournier said, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. “Because we have the weapons, let’s be honest. We have guys who can score. It shouldn’t be a problem for us to score.” New York currently ranks 24th in the NBA in offensive rating.
Amazing move by Embiid. Class act this guy is. Much love bro.
It really reflects on his character. There are a lot of competitive people who trash talk and things like that and love to dish it out, but if they ever receive it themselves they act like victims. Embiid showing respect for a fellow competitive guy is great.
Awesome move by Embiid, that’s some good stuff bravo!!
How about he shouldn’t have been fined to begin with.
How about he’s lucky to be in the league.
Interesting that Fournier is calling out what I will assume is the coaching staff when his constant fumbles on offensive and non-existent defense are part of the problem. Looking forward to them trading him. If they can.
Interesting that a fan of one of the worst offenses in the NBA is calling out the only player bold enough to say something.
Sixers are just making this easy on people who cannot stand their organization.
I could care less about Simmons, really I dont care. Is he mature? How many NBA players are mature? How many young rich guys are as well? Probably not many and Yes I understand that Klutch is probably not doing the best of jobs representing him.
However, my point with the Sixers is simple. You have handled everything except the Embiid draft so poorly why should i give you the benefit of the doubt?
Your organization decided to quit and go home so you could get Embiid and Simmons, set a precedent that if you cannot compete, just quit and then tried to spin it that you were some sort of sport genius when your organization simply quit to get better picks. Hell Hinkie wrote a dissertation on how dumb his idea was when he was fired for being a fool and quitting.
Sixers did a poor job of drafting, I mean shall we talk about Markel Fultz again? I wonder how good Tatum/Embiid/Simmons could of really been?
Then Burnergate, which i see why Sixer fan is upset bc Coleangelo made huge mistakes and then went all counter intelligence to try and ruin his own team, but the NBA had to step in bc they were taking too much heat about the Process. So sorry, no support there either.
Now, currently, the Sixers are spinning again claiming that its Ben Simmons fault they are currently in a stalemate with him. Ok sure, Ben Simmons is a baby. Are you guys happy? does that make the $30 million cap hit go away? does that get you the All star Morey is claiming he can get? Nope and Nope. So you won the public opinion poll but you still do not have a player and $30 millions to spend. Great win there. This is why Morey is considered a genius?
What is true, is that your team, even though I hate the Sixers organization, has a legit shot to win the championship when I think the last time you won was what? 86′? And you want to quibble about what you get in return for Simmons who is OBVIOUSLY not worth an All Star.
Your team is playing well and could use a few other players to help Embiid. Does Philly say Eff it, lets go all in and ride the dominant Embiid? Of course not. They double down on the Process foolishness and hold out for a player that is not likely to come to Philly or they cant even trade for, or if they can trade for but would take one of the guys they developed that can play with Embiid like Maxey or Thybulle.
They are effing doomed. They never learn and I am cheering for Simmons to bring the entire thing down.
I have changed my mind. I want Simmons to come back. Because if he does, he will ruin their playoff chances and they still have the same exact issue they had last year, Simmons is flawed and cannot be relied on in the 4th quarter and they choose to pay him $30 million a year.
Sixers could get guys who could help Embiid right effing now, but their pride and delusion and the admission that maybe the Process was just Joel Embiid and that is it will bring their eventual demise.
If I am Embiid and the Sixers do not get me help this year, I am GONE!!!! Hello Miami or Chicago or Dallas. Anywhere where the desire to win beats ego.
Ill stop now, I do enjoy watching the Sixers fail, its like watching some guy make a YouTube vid and know that he is going to eventually get hit in the sack.
If you don’t think Embiid isn’t kept in the loop of major decisions, then I think you’re naive. Also, the rant is excessive. Wait til the deadline before prematurely writing this response.
I ain’t reading all that.
I’m happy for u tho.
Or sorry that happened.
The process brought the most dominant player in the NBA friend. The petulant child Simmons is locked in at 4 more years with no option but to sit and wait. Sixer fans stand with morey as jojo leads his rag tag band of not Simmons to 13 out 15 and ascending. Now go back to rooting for the whatever big 3 you favor.
Most dominant player didn’t look so dominant against AD last night. They got the win, but all that means is that they beat the Lakers. Just try to stay objective, please.
You could care less about Simmons?
Or, you don’t care?
Which is it? We’re dying to know
Every team needs to keep stars happy
You don’t treat stars like that
But Simmons is overpaid. You can spend $147 million on two players
Why should they (stars) be treated any differently? It’s elitist. If he (Simmons) were truly a star, he’d be humbled and get over himself for the benefit of his teammates who rely on him. Fans enable his lifestyle. It’s a privilege to have a career and be paid well (in his case very well) and do what you enjoy. Players in many cases take that for granted. What he needs is a reality check.
so getting a couple good pieces in exchange for Simmons – who isn’t playing – could be enough to push the team over the top.
Exactly, what I have been saying!!!
NOW
No Opportunities Wasted!!!
Moreyon is fixed on Harden. Be careful what you wish for. Imo they will never work. He’s doing Embiid a disservice by not getting him help. Even Kyrie now would be a huge upgrade. If I’m Nets I get all I can from Moreyon. Still say they should of went after Haliburton.
Funny that Fournier is lashing out. Who in this league doesn’t know. Bam covers the perimeter better than any big. This can’t be new to Knicks. His D is pretty bad too. If this is true then he is bashing the coaches. Thibs is enabling Randle. And he just kills the offensive flow. This year has to fall on Thibs now. Like JVG said. How can you keep doing the same thing over and over. And that the second unit brings more energy. I doubt Randle gets moved. But I’m ready for Obi to take over.
Fournier discovering that his coach is, in fact, Tom Thibodeux.
Thibi-doh!
Seen loads of videos and articles now on Ben and the Sixers. I can see both sides to what Morey is doing.
To simply for others;
Morey is basically saying he doesn’t want to trade Ben until the offseason in which he thinks he can get Harden or Beal in a Sign and Trade in FA.
According to reports Harden doesn’t really like Brooklyn and wants to try out FA and Beal seems to be getting tired of losing in Washington.
Then ofcourse he also interested in Dame who he believes might request a trade in the offseason as Portland sucks.
Now is where it gets dicey. By saying they want to hold Ben until then and likely get one of these three guys it’s telling other teams interested (Kings, Hawks, Cavs, TWolves, etc etc) that you need to up your offer if you want him cause they believe they will get something better in FA that what your currently offering. Hence why the kings have recently included Fox and Haliburton in conversations. It’s a smart move by Morey if it works!!! He must be confident he can get one of the big three in the offseason if he’s willing to turn down Grant, Bey and a first or Halliburton Barnes and stuff.
Im all for adding an elite talent and making this team a true contender. But there are two huge negatives. 1. Harden and Adams are both 30+ and need expensive and lengthy extensions. Which works well for the next 2/3 seasons but you don’t want to be paying one of them 55mil when he’s 37 and the production has disappeared. 2. The other issue is your likely waste the whole season in which Embiid is playing like an MVP and you have a good chance at winning a championship now. That could affect the locker room, the fans everything. But it seems Joel is happy to wait for a big name, so for now it’s fine.
My preference has always been to add a wing that’ll happily settle to be the sidekick to Embiid.
I’ve always distanced myself from Dame and Harden cause of the age and money aspects plus they could try take over the team and affect the locker room and everything.
I’ve said 1000 times my number 1 option would be Jaylen Brown. He’s a perfect fit for the locker room, suits the sidekick role, isnt to old or to expensive, plays both ends of the floor.
Bradley Beal would be my second choice. Only 28 so isn’t to old, played second choice to Wall for a while and would be willing to fit alongside Embiid without trying to takeover. Gives us a closer to games.
Underrated and unlikely but I’d love Shai and I’d love Donovan Mitchell.
Does anyone know why Knicks choose Fournier over Oubre or DeRozan? Did both Oubre and DeRozan not want to come to NY?
Not sure if the Knicks even met with either. I think the “continuity” horse bolted out the gates right at the start of FA in early August
DeRozan was too much money. And they wanted a shooter over a scorer, so Fournier. Unfortunately they again missed on the most important part. A real PG. So they had to settle on Kemba.
The price for Simmons @ TD is to also get Harris so it’s nearly impossible to throw that much even for Kings who are best suitors …
#freeMorey
Wonder if Doc and Embiid will throw Morey under the bus when they got knocked out this summer?
#FreeBenSimmons
Embiid goes down day after the deadline. Calling it now.