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Whether there’s actually anything to it or not, Shams Charania’s report that the Atlanta Hawks could be an “emerging suitor” for Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons feels like the first substantial piece of trade intel on that front in some time.
However, suitors emerging and names like John Collins being mentioned as possible targets doesn’t mean something is in the works. Rumors, speculation and even chatter between teams are one thing; GMs actively negotiating the particulars of an actual deal is another entirely.
Recent reporting aside, all we really know about the Simmons-Sixers drama is that it has been mired in a months-long stalemate.
The Sixers are pushing for a return to play while asking for the world in trade talks. Simmons wants to leave and is unwilling/unable to be on the hardwood before that happens. In other words: Rock, meet hard place.
On Wednesday, however, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that the sides are talking.
Sixers Meet With Simmons’ Agent
With the NBA trade deadline less than a month away, there’s undoubtedly a desire on both sides to come to a resolution. To that end, Philly’s top executives — team president Daryl Morey and GM Elton Brand — took a meeting with Simmons’ powerhouse agent, Rich Paul.
Via Wojnarowski:
The meeting at a downtown Philadelphia restaurant was described as amicable and professional, but Morey reiterated the franchise’s stance that it won’t make a Simmons trade unless it believes the return gives it a chance to compete for a championship, sources said.
Paul told the Sixers that Simmons’ mental health hurdles continue to preclude him from a return to play with the team, and the desire for a trade out of Philadelphia remains in place, sources said.
There was also this, which will no doubt pierce the hearts of fans who got excited about the Collins possibility:
Some teams have even described the Sixers’ asking price for a Simmons’ deal as growing in price — not declining, sources told ESPN.
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Sixers Ink Charlie Brown Jr. to Two-Way Contract
A native of Northeast Philly, guard-forward Charlie Brown Jr. is living the dream. On January 7, the 24-year-old made his Sixers debut at Wells Fargo Center in front of a crowd of friends, family and fans from his college days at nearby Saint Joseph’s, and he acquitted himself well, too.
Flash forward to Tuesday and the team he grew up cheering for officially brought an end to his hardship player status by inking him to a two-way contract.
To clear a spot for Brown, the Sixers elected to waive Aaron Henry.
Before signing a 10-day contract with the Sixers, Brown was with the Mavs on another hardship deal. He began the season with the Sixers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, with whom he put up 16.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
Since turning pro in 2019, he’s seen action with the Sixers, Mavs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks.
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