Ben Simmons formally demands trade

[The Q]

Sadly, I agree. They are probably getting nothing now. The only way they can ever get anything is if Simmons comes back, rehabilitates his reputation by playing well and being a good teammate.

Now, we all know that he is incapable of this. Every day he lowers his value further. So I would just let him rot. Make him practice, and go to games and sit on the bench and watch.

The only actual argument to be made for moving him at this time is a financial one, to get his contract off the books. That is indeed a problem from a cap perspective. But if they can fine him and make sure he doesn't actually earn that money, well, at least you have that satisfaction.

They can’t.

Not for 4 years.

 

[Shanemansj13]

There...is no value anymore. This is Morey's point.

So he is going to keep him on the bench for 4 years? lol you gotta trade him at some point, no reason to prolong. I get not rushing it but the whole season is extreme

 

[Iggloo]

Buckle in!

 

[Iggloo]

They can’t.

Not for 4 years.

Ben is under contract for 4 years. He has to show up, practice, do the things that players under contract are supposed to do, or get fined. Even if he does all these things--which he won't because he is a bitch--he is not guaranteed a starting spot or even a place in the rotation.

His choice at this point is play or pout. He will clearly pout. So this is going to go on for a while.

One of the many miscalculations Ben Simmons and Rich Paul made is that Philly is not New Orleans or Houston. The Sixers will likely be a playoff team with or without Ben Simmons. They're not going to fall to pieces with the nucleus they have. They can drag this out and be pretty much exactly what they were with Ben Simmons, a team that loses in the second round.

Ben meanwhile is in tatters, his reputation is ruined forever.

 

[trojanfan12]

They aren't getting half that

They might be able to get a pair of Dame's game worn shoes...but not an autographed pair.

 

[trojanfan12]

One of the many miscalculations Ben Simmons and Rich Paul made is that Philly is not New Orleans or Houston. The Sixers will likely be a playoff team with or without Ben Simmons. They're not going to fall to pieces with the nucleus they have. They can drag this out and be pretty much exactly what they were with Ben Simmons, a team that loses in the second round.

So the brilliant strategy the Sixers FO has come up with is to continue to be a 2nd round exit level team just to prove to Ben that they can be a 2nd round exit level team without him?

This is what a "shrewd GM" does?

Interesting.

 

[Iggloo]

So the brilliant strategy the Sixers FO has come up with is to continue to be a 2nd round exit level team just to prove to Ben that they can be a 2nd round exit level team without him?

This is what a "shrewd GM" does?

Interesting.

What is your alternative? They should have traded him a year ago, that was their mistake. They are going to be a second round team now no matter what they do with Ben Simmons. So why trade him?

 

[michaeljordan_fan]

What is your alternative? They should have traded him a year ago, that was their mistake. They are going to be a second round team now no matter what they do with Ben Simmons. So why trade him?

It will be an albatross over the team as long as he is on the roster.

 

[Robotech]

I've got him on my fantasy team. Think he will be a steal.

At the very least he's a good streamer for 3's, points, and FT%.

 

[Iggloo]

It will be an albatross over the team as long as he is on the roster.

Maybe. So far every indication is that it has not divided the locker room one bit though. No one is on Ben Simmons' side in that locker room. That's part of the reason I think he is scared to go back, he knows the players don't really give a shit what he does at this point. They have moved on.

Again, he seems to have a highly inflated sense of his own worth and what would happen if he held out.

 

[michaeljordan_fan]

Maybe. So far every indication is that it has not divided the locker room one bit though. No one is on Ben Simmons' side in that locker room. That's part of the reason I think he is scared to go back, he knows the players don't really give a shit what he does at this point. They have moved on.

Again, he seems to have a highly inflated sense of his own worth and what would happen if he held out.

I hope it doesn't. We're in the first week of the season.

Two months from now, how annoying is it going to be to still be answering Ben SImmons questions?

 

[Shanemansj13]

What is your alternative? They should have traded him a year ago, that was their mistake. They are going to be a second round team now no matter what they do with Ben Simmons. So why trade him?

You can still get some good value back just not crazy over the top value like Morey insisted. Yes, the help coupd definitely help them be better than the current roster. If anything draft capital but I’m sure that is the last option

 

[tlance]

If the Sixers were going to sit and wait, the way to do it would have been to let him stay away and keep getting paid. Withholding his pay brings him back into the day to day of the team.

Yes, you are right.

But they didn’t do that.

And the decision to force him back will only hurt the team and hurt Simmons trade value.

6ers lose leverage every day he acts like a jackass.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Yes, you are right.

But they didn’t do that.

And the decision to force him back will only hurt the team and hurt Simmons trade value.

6ers lose leverage every day he acts like a jackass.

But what’s at risk at this point if reports are true? His value has already devolved to its lowest point.

 

[trojanfan12]

What is your alternative? They should have traded him a year ago, that was their mistake. They are going to be a second round team now no matter what they do with Ben Simmons. So why trade him?

1. I agree, they should have traded him a year ago. But they didn't.
2. They also should have traded him right after the season. His trade value wasn't as high as a year ago...but it was a helluva lot higher than it is now. But they didn't.
3. They are inevitably going to have to trade him. If for no other reason than they are likely to have the NBA and the NBAPA looking into this. It's basically a bad look for Ben and the Sixers right now...but it's eventually going to look bad on the league.
4. Trade him for expirings and draft picks, then use those to make a trade for players that can actually help or at least be willing to play.

This "We're gonna get a 'difference maker' for him or we'll do this for 4 years" nonsense just looks like someone who realizes he fucked up and is too prideful to admit it. What's that saying? "Pride goeth before the fall".

You posted earlier that Ben's reputation is in tatters...what do you think this is doing to the Sixers reputation outside of Philly fans?

Morey may be a "shrewd GM", but right now, he's making Short Buss's stint as Lakers GM look like a run of pure genius.

Maybe the Sixers can cut him and extend his contract? lol

 

[trojanfan12]

Two months from now, how annoying is it going to be to still be answering Ben SImmons questions?

Or 4 years from now according to Morey.

 

[Center Ice]

1. I agree, they should have traded him a year ago. But they didn't.
2. They also should have traded him right after the season. His trade value wasn't as high as a year ago...but it was a helluva lot higher than it is now. But they didn't.
3. They are inevitably going to have to trade him. If for no other reason than they are likely to have the NBA and the NBAPA looking into this. It's basically a bad look for Ben and the Sixers right now...but it's eventually going to look bad on the league.
4. Trade him for expirings and draft picks, then use those to make a trade for players that can actually help or at least be willing to play.

This "We're gonna get a 'difference maker' for him or we'll do this for 4 years" nonsense just looks like someone who realizes he fucked up and is too prideful to admit it. What's that saying? "Pride goeth before the fall".

You posted earlier that Ben's reputation is in tatters...what do you think this is doing to the Sixers reputation outside of Philly fans?

Morey may be a "shrewd GM", but right now, he's making Short Buss's stint as Lakers GM look like a run of pure genius.

Maybe the Sixers can cut him and extend his contract? lol

Give the little shit one of these and tell him to stand on the sidelines.

 

[The Q]

Give the little shit one of these and tell him to stand on the sidelines.

I’m fine with that

 

[tlance]

A lot to unpack here.

The Harden move worked for Harden because A) He's an MVP level player and B) He only had 1 year left on his contract. Teams came knocking on the door offering a bunch of players.

It is absolutely ridiculous to claim that the Sixers acted in bad faith. You want to say that they mishandled things? Sure. I guess. But at some point we have to stop treating these athletes like children. Ben Simmons is taking petulance to almost toddler levels here. He made a decision that he didn't care whether he hurt his trade value, he was going to burn it all down and just assume that the Sixers would fold. That was a terrible decision by him.

I don't think anyone should feel bad for the Sixers. Morey is one of the shrewdist GMs in the league. He's going to play hard ball until he gets the best deal he can. Of course he wants Simmons to get back on the court so the other teams can forget the Hawks series but clearly Simmons petulance won't let that happen.

Don’t really disagree with a whole lot here.

However, this is definitely personal with Simmons at this stage. And as the 6ers allow the drama to countinie to escalate (which they are) they continue to shoot themselves in the foot.

It is great that the fans are behind the organization, but the Embiid contention window is closing fast.

 

[tlance]

I wouldn't say the Sixers are in the driver's seat per se. As it stands, Simmons trade value is about as low as it can get. His image looks like complete trash and you have media personalities questioning his mental health. So the Sixers have no leverage when it comes to other teams. All they can do is hold onto Simmons and hope that his value improves.

OTOH, the Sixers have leverage with Simmons. Simmons doesn't realize that yet but he will. Morey will sooner put Simmons on ice for the entire year than dump him for loose change.

But what do they gain by putting him on ice for a year?

Absolutely nothing.

And Simmons trade value isn’t increasing with him sitting either.