We're about a quarter of the way through the season now, and there's still no sign that Ben Simmons will return anytime soon.
After trying, and failing, to force his way out over the summer, his relationship with the 76ers has reached an All-Time low.
Unfortunately for Ben, his best hope of getting to California may be over now, as Bleacher Report’s Jack Fischer reported that the Sacramento Kings (a team previously reported to be interested in Simmons) will almost surely fail to live up to Daryl Morey's trade demands.
And despite strong preseason chatter that a slow start in Sacramento could lead to a potential Ben Simmons trade with Philadelphia, there remains no significant current discussion between the Sixers and Kings. Fox and Tyrese Halliburton are still deemed unavailable, and second-year standout Tyrese Maxey has emerged as a legitimate starting point guard in Philadelphia.
As a budding young All-Star, it makes sense that De'Aaron would be deemed untouchable in trade talks, even if it means missing out on Ben.
And with the Kings tapped out of negotiations (at least, for now), it's unknown which other teams (if any) are still considering a Simmons trade, meaning there may be no trade at all if the Sixers refuse to lower their ask.
Regardless, Ben will have to come back at some point, if for nothing else than start making money again...
"I was told by somebody very reliable he may be tapped out, broke," Eskin said on Tuesday's 94WIP Evening Show with Joe Giglio. "Cash flow broke. Because he's losing so much money, but he spent so much money. 17.5 million dollar home, remember he has to pay taxes too. 17.5 million dollar home. He's got two homes in the Philadelphia area, probably worth eight or nine million. He buys a new car every month, four or five hundred thousand. He just spends money like it's nothing because he thinks it never ends. And the person that told, it's very reliable that he has got serious cash flow issues."
Needless to say, this ordeal between Simmons and the 76ers will not end any time soon.
This standoff could go well beyond the All-Star game, which is probably the worst thing for their struggling ball club.
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