PHILADELPHIA — The Sixers continue to have a high asking price for Ben Simmons and it appears the franchise is surveying the league to find a team to meet its expectations.
The front office had trade discussions with the Warriors, asking Bob Myers & Co. for a package that included James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, the No. 7 and No. 14 overall picks in the 2021 draft as well as two future first-round picks, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Pompey adds that Golden State denied Philadelphia’s request.
One league executive told Pompey that the Sixers are making “totally outlandish offers” to other teams.
The team asked for four first-rounders, three pick swaps, and a young player in talks with the Spurs for Simmons, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor (podcast link). Philadelphia reportedly wanted Kyle Lowry (via sign-and-trade), Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and the No. 4 overall pick in Thursday’s draft from the Raptors in exchange for the three-time All-Star.
There’s a sense around the league that the Sixers will need to slightly lower their asking price if they are going to pull off a Simmons deal. Philadelphia continues to hold out for an All-Star or James Harden-type package in exchange for the former No. 1 overall pick.
More must-reads: