Ben Simmons willing to hold out to force trade from Sixers?

Ben Simmons‘ future with the Sixers’ franchise remains in limbo and while we haven’t heard directly from the All-Star, rumblings about his unhappiness with the situation continue to circulate.

It appears that Simmons is. ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins shared some more insight on the situation during Monday’s episode of The Jump (h/t Bob Wankel of Crossing Broad).

“Ben Simmons is not answering the phone calls, he don’t want to be with the 76ers, and from what I heard, he’s willing not to report to training camp, and will go as long as it takes for him to get out of Philly. So I say where there’s smoke there’s fire,” Perkins said.

There have been mixed reports on Simmons’ communication with the Sixers. Jason Dumas of KRON News reported that the former No. 1 overall pick had cut off communication with the team while Kyle Nuebeck of the Philly Voice says team officials have disputed those rumors.

The Sixers continue to eye top talent in exchange for Simmons with the front office eyeing Damian Lillard. Short of an All-Star-level player like Lillard, the team is asking for an immense trade package.

Prior to the NBA draft, 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 (became Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody) in the 2021 draft as well as two future first-round picks, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

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.