According to Keith Pompey, the Sacramento Kings were considering a deal with the 76ers that included Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Tyrese Haliburton, and two first round picks in exchange for Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Matisse Thybulle.

Yesterday, we learned that the Sixers weren’t interested in a deal with the Pistons to send Ben Simmons to Detroit in return for Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Kelly Olynyk, and a first round pick. With the NBA Trade Deadline approaching on February 10th, it appears that Daryl Morey and the Sixers continue to hold onto Simmons hoping to get an All-Star caliber player in a trade package in return.

The 76ers had talks with Sacramento last summer regarding De’Aaron Fox, but the Kings weren’t willing to move Fox or include him in any type of deal for Simmons. Back in December, it seemed clear that the Kings remained firm on what they were willing to offer for Ben Simmons, something that Daryl Morey was not interested in.

Earlier this month, that changed, as the Kings Sacramento Kings had softened their stance on player availability in trade talks. The 18-28 Kings are clearly considering all options and I’m sure would love to snap the streak of 15 consecutive losing seasons.

As of today, Shams reported that the Kings have a new mindset and do not want to move on from De’Aaron Fox and look to center their team around Fox and second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton, which appears to completely contradict the report from Keith Pompey.

I have a feeling that as we get closer to the deadline more trade proposals will be denied by the Philadelphia 76ers. This specific proposal by the Kings is a tough one to turn down, but doing so remains consistent with what the 76ers organization has done over the past nine months during the Ben Simmons soap opera.

Yes, Buddy Hield would be a fantastic fit in the backcourt for the Philadelphia 76ers. His willingness to shoot three point shots would give the Sixers a true bomber from beyond the arc. Hield is averaging 15.6 points per game and more importantly, he’s taking 9.3 shots from three, while making 38.5% of them. He would immediately become the most prolific shooter on the 76ers roster if he ended up in Philadelphia.

Haliburton is only 21 years old and in his second year in the NBA. He’s averaging 13.7 points per game and 7.1 assists per game, while shooting 46.7% from the floor and 42.9% from beyond the arc. His ceiling is extremely high and he would have been another interesting piece to add to the young 76ers backcourt that already features Tyrese Maxey.

Harrison Barnes is an extremely efficient and versatile player and could provide another veteran in the Sixers locker room. Barnes would basically be the replacement for Tobias Harris. He is currently scoring 16.1 points per game, taking 5.0 threes per game and making 41.9% of his shots taken from beyond the arc. He’s a solid defender and would be a great complimentary piece alongside Joel Embiid.

If we’re going off Shams’ report, without Haliburton or De’Aaron Fox, it’s pretty unlikely that the 76ers will be able to make a trade that includes both Harris and Simmons. It’s definitely something to keep an eye on, because there are packages that are clearly being discussed with the Sixers that include both players.

Acquiring one or both of these guys could make a difference this season and going forward. Hell, the Sixers were forced to start Charlie Brown Jr. last night against the Magic. Depth and help for Embiid and company is certainly needed. I understand getting rid of Matisse Thybulle in the process is not ideal but as we have seen with the absence of Ben Simmons, the Sixers defense can hold up without him. Adding more offensive fire power to aid Embiid is the number one priority.

In the end, it doesn’t seem like the 76ers want to move Thybulle and some reports are even saying that he’s “untouchable” in trade situations. We are just three weeks until the NBA Trade Deadline and I’m sure this won’t be the last trade package that’s shut down by the Sixers.

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports