October is approaching and Ben Simmons still remains with the Philadelphia 76ers. After not showing up to training camp this week, Simmons has made it clear he wants out, but nothing too serious has come up in trade talks. Sources have told Zach Lowe of ESPN that the San Antonio Spurs reached out about Simmons, but didn’t get far. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves could be a team that makes a legit push for the 25-year-old, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.
“(Sachin Gupta) absolutely is a fan of Ben Simmons. He was in Philadelphia when Ben Simmons first got there,” Krawczynski said on his podcast. “I do think that overall, just the organization’s position is that Ben Simmons is a perfect fit for their roster for what they need and what Ben Simmons needs from a team around him. So I do think that they are going to continue to pursue Ben Simmons aggressively, I can’t say, you know, 100% that, you know, they’re in the driver’s seat, or it’s going to happen or anything like that. But I do know that the dismissal of Gersson Rosas has not poured any cold water on their pursuit of Simmons, they really think that he can be a difference maker.”
Here’s more trade news:
- Before Rick Carlisle stepped down as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, Kristaps Porzingis reportedly had a desire to be traded, says ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. Although, those thoughts changed once new coach Jason Kidd was hired in late June. “At the end of last year, Porzingis wanted to be traded. My understanding is he feels like he has a fresh start with the coaching change,” MacMahon said on Brian Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast. “He’s had the healthy offseason. He has been able to work, not just on his game, but on his body some more. He’s kind of coming back with a refreshed feel.”
- Washington Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard recently told NBC Sports Washington’s Chris Miller that Russell Westbrook never asked for a trade. Sheppard wanted to clear the air about many thinking Westbrook wanted out over the summer. “I really have to make sure the record is straight on that,” Sheppard said. “Russell actually never asked to move on. He just said, ‘If I can get to the Lakers, that’d be something I would love to do. If not, I’ll be back here.’ I said, ‘What about the Clippers?’ He said, ‘Hell no.’ So Russell was happy being here and we were very grateful for him being here.”
- Point guard John Wall and the Houston Rockets have agreed to move on, but a trade may not get done for quite a while. Wall’s contract has made teams hesitant to reach out about a deal, as he will make $44.3 million in 2021-2022 and has a player option for $47.4 million next season. Despite being stuck in Houston sitting out, Wall is healthy and believes last year proved his game still has “a lot left in the tank”, tweets Fox 26 Houston’s Mark Berman.
