Ben Simmons To The Sacramento Kings?
Last month, I reported a trade possibility between the Sacramento Kings and the Philadephia 76ers centered around Ben Simmons and De’Aaron Fox.
Kings and Sixers have had preliminary discussions about a deal that would send Simmons to Sacramento for De’Aaron Fox. Kings’ initial offer was oriented around Buddy Hield, per Source.
Unclear if Fox is on the table yet, but the Sixers remain engaged at the prospect of a Fox-Embiid duo. Warriors and Clippers have also both inquired about Ben’s availability- but no serious offers yet.
According to a source, Kyle Neubeck of Phillyvoice.com would later report that “Sixers would not even entertain a discussion with the Sacramento Kings save for the inclusion of guard De’Aaron Fox in a potential deal, which they view simply as a starting point for talks.”
The Sacbee later reported it the Kings indeed had an interest in acquiring Simmons from the Sixers, but it would have to be a deal that did not involve Fox.
On Saturday, Kings GM Monte McNair was caught on film by an Instagram user, Raymon Nijjar, in Las Vegas at NBA Summer League. Nijjar let McNair know he has been the best GM the Kings have had in a while and told him to go after Ben Simmons. In which, McNair nodded and got a great reaction from Nijjar and others around him.
The Sacbee floated a trade that could look like this: Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley III, and future first-round draft pick in exchange for Simmons. Unfortunately, that would not be enough because, according to David Aldridge of The Athletic, “Philly’s asking price for Ben Simmons on the eve of free agency remains sky-high. At a minimum, the Sixers are seeking control of at least four future first-round picks via direct trade or pick swaps, along with an All-Star-level player in most (but not all) scenarios.”
Buddy Hield presented in Kings’ offer makes sense for both sides to look to part ways now. Last season, I reported that Hield’s preferred destination is the Dallas Mavericks.
He trains there in the off-season with Knicks forward Julius Randle, Suns Langston Galloway, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Derrick Henry.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
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