Sam Amick from The Athletic reported that there does not appear to be any type of deal happening soon for Ben Simmons. Daryl Morey has reiterated that point over the last few months and even went on 97.5 The Fanatic telling everyone to “buckle up” because it is going to be a long four years. At the time, we all thought that Morey was crazy. Although four years is unlikely, there’s a growing belief that the Ben Simmons saga could go on for at least one or two years. Yikes.

Amick continues to say that a source with knowledge on the 76ers’ wish list of players they could get in return for Simmons is around 30 names. Amick continues to say that there’s a belief within the organization that five to 10 players could become available in the next year or two. 

Atop the list, features players like Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Bradley Beal. 

According to Amick’s source within the organization, the Ben Simmons situation is like a “multi-year thing”. 

The Sixers got off to a hot start without Simmons before losing key players like Joel Embiid and Matisse Thybulle for extended time due to COVID health and safety protocols. 

Now, they have lost five straight and things won’t get easier tonight on the road against the Denver Nuggets. 

Of course, things can change in the early goings of 2022. The trade deadline is February 10th and there’s always a chance that a team will take a pass on Ben Simmons and meet the hefty desire of the Sixers organization to get a star player in return. 

As for Simmons actually playing for the Sixers again? Really the same type of message here. The 76ers want him to return but it’s apparent that Simmons isn’t interested in doing so. 

There’s a growing belief that the uncertainty surrounding him is making teams “less motivated” to make a move for him. Assuming that his mental health struggles are not only related to the Sixers, teams will have a hard time giving up what the organization wants in return without seeing Simmons back on the court.