Sixers reportedly entertaining trade offers for Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons reportedly is officially available for trade. 

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Philadelphia 76ers have opened up trade conversations for the guard and engaged with other teams about a possible deal.

Teams that have engaged with Philadelphia have been met with a high threshold in terms of a return for the three-time All-Star, Charania adds. 

Simmons's agent, Rich Paul, met with Sixers management at least once this offseason to discuss the guard's future with the team. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Simmons also met with head coach Doc Rivers, who said earlier this month he wants the 24-year-old back next season, to discuss ways to improve his shooting moving forward. 

Simmons trade rumors began after Philadelphia was eliminated from the postseason. The 2017-18 Rookie of the Year had a hideous playoff run and even took some blame for the Sixers' second-round playoff exit, saying, "There's a lot of things that I need to work on."

The Indiana Pacers are among teams interested in the Australian. They reportedly offered the Sixers Malcolm Brogdon and a first-round pick in a trade package, which Philadelphia turned down. 

According to Charania, the Sixers want an "All-Star-caliber player" in return for Simmons. It's unclear if they'll get that, with some around the NBA believing his scoring issues are unfixable. However, the trade market is still believed to be robust for the All-NBA defender.

Simmons is under contract through the 2024-25 campaign after signing a five-year deal worth $177.2 million in July 2019. Giving up an All-Star player for him would mean any team acquiring him would have to be committed to helping him work through his issues.