NBA Trade Rumors: 76ers held Ben Simmons talks with Raptors, Pacers

It feels like the Ben Simmons saga has dragged on for ages now. The disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers star has still yet to suit up this year, but he hasn’t been traded, either.

GM Daryl Morey is determined to get a superstar player back in return for Simmons, with James Harden being the one name that stands out amongst the rest.

However, that doesn’t mean the team hasn’t been exploring other options. According to a recent report, the Sixers have been engaging in trade talks with other teams around the league for Simmons.

NBA Trade Rumors: 76ers held Ben Simmons talks with Raptors, Pacers

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (subscription required), there have been two teams, in particular, the 76ers have held trade talks with – the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors.

Earlier this season it was reported that the Pacers plan on blowing things up. The rumor listed Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, and Caris LeVert as the three players on the chopping block.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors have put together a decent season. With Scottie Barnes’ emergence as a potential star, some other players on the roster could be expendable.

In talks with those teams, the two names that have come up are Sabonis and Pascal Siakam. However, that’s ultimately not enough to convince the 76ers.

Charania noted that those two players aren’t exactly what the Philadelphia 76ers are looking for. They would obviously improve the team but not enough, in their opinion.

Adding an All-Star would be great, but Philly doesn’t see either of the two players as the difference between right now and winning a championship.

They’re eyeing Harden in the offseason, and it’s not hard to see why. The duo of Harden and Joel Embiid would create an extremely talented combination.

But for now, despite the trade talks with the Pacers and Raptors, Ben Simmons remains in Philadelphia. And as the weeks go by, it’s looking like it will remain that way into the summer.