With 34 days to go for the February deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers are still hoping to take back some valuable assets for three-time All-Star Ben Simmons.
Simmons is still away from the team for personal reasons, with the Sixers hoping to two possibilities. One —get Simmons back in the lineup, and two —find a suitable partner to trade him, as we’re approaching February deadline.
According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the Atlanta Hawks could be an emerging suitor for Simmons, if the Sixers could not find the package they want and elect to work on a multi-team trade.
(via Liberty Ballers):
“It was suggested to me this week by one league source to keep an eye on Atlanta as an emerging suitor for Philadelphia’s Simmons…. The Hawks don’t appear to have an available star on the Lillard/Beal level to make the sort of offer Philadelphia seeks for Simmons, but they have numerous enticing trade pieces to try to bring in other teams and expand the options in a theoretical multi-team trade construction.”
The Hawks do not have a win-now deal that could potentially make Daryl Morey give up on Simmons. However, they could be a part of a consolidation trade for the three-time All-Star, who, as of now, remains inactive.
If for some reason, the Sixers haste into a deal, the Hawks could have a chance to add an elite defensive player to their roster, but that may not be the case for the Sixers’ front office, especially if the team remains close to the Top-5 of the East without Simmons.
