Ben Simmons recap: latest reports, betting odds, tweets, tea leaves

Ben Simmons’ business situation took a step forward when he allegedly called for a trade.

While few, if any, believed Ben Simmons wanted to return to Philadelphia, he and his agency, Klutch, seemed to at least do the Sixers “the courtesy” of not making a formal request. It made sense at the time. They knew the Sixers would want to sell the idea that they could actually “go back” whatever their ultimate goals, in order to retain their influence while chatting with other teams.

For Simmons, it looked like there was an incentive not to ask for a trade with four years left on a max contract, after a second round where he performed well below his own standards. As for Klutch, it seemed like they too would have preferred a quiet breakup, that way maybe they could dodge The reputation of The Trade Forcing Agency.

Now, maybe the Sixers were given a private deadline months ago – who knows. Maybe Rich Paul, Simmons’ agent, started reading the tea leaves and determined that the Sixers intended to wait until the New Year to see what would happen on Damian Lillard’s forehead; Dame has yet to request a trade in Portland, but many insiders believe it is only a matter of time before he does.

So, the Simmons camp finally officially requested an exchange. They simultaneously pulled out the “threaten to hold” card. The remaining card would be to hold on.

Athletic’s Derek Bodner, writing today:

“I think one of the key factors that will cross Daryl’s mind as he tries to find the best way forward is to try to read the personality of the player he’s dealing with. We’re all focused on Rich Paul’s role in all of this and how he acted in similar prior circumstances, which is fair. But he doesn’t quite have the same influence with Ben Simmons, who still has four years on his contract, as he did with a true superstar in Anthony Davis. Perhaps more importantly, though, I don’t think Ben Simmons has the personality to come to camp and follow the full “Jimmy Butler Derail a Season” playbook.

I think it gives Morey some confidence that he can call Simmons’ bluff as to whether or not he’ll go all the way and not hold training camp, something we still don’t see happening. too often in the NBA. Even if Simmons holds up, I don’t think it cracks its commercial value to the same degree as with Butler, who was months away from free agency, rather than four years.

What happened last week is essentially a public threat of future unease, and I’d be surprised if Morey blinks too early here in the process.

While the Sixers brass may not be surprised, recent events are certainly not helping their negotiating position. And that’s bad for fans who are ultimately hoping for the best possible return in any potential trade.

(Sometimes I wonder if Daryl Morey kinda feels like watching his former Rockets team go from 0 to 27 of three in a Game 7 … but in Philly and in slow motion … since they had racked up 26 points directing at home two months ago; almost nothing major has worked the way he would have liked, with the possible exception of Joel Embiid’s knee rehab).

By John Krawczynski of The Athletic From the same cut above:

“I think there is a good chance [Simmons] is always on the list when camp begins. If there’s one front office leader who’s willing to let things get uncomfortable and downplay any personality clashes that might be involved here, it’s Morey.

The idea of ​​a player, fresh off a humiliating playoff series, holding on with four years left on his contract and eating a slew of indefinite fines without a trade, seems a little wild. Would management step in and force Morey’s hand? Would they dig into themselves and say we won’t be intimidated by Klutch? Would Simmons be willing to hold on until the trade deadline?

I contacted Kyle Newman of OddsChecker for the latest betting odds. I was legitimately surprised at the change that has taken place since mid-August, and following Keith Pompey’s article on Ben’s desire:

Previous quotes, as of August 16:

Toronto +250

Gold State +300

Latest quotes, as of September 2:

Gold State +300

Minnesota +400

Sacramento +600

Toronto +800

Saint-Antoine +800

Portland +1100

By Newman:

“Considering the odds have receded for teams hoping to trade to Ben Simmons, it seems more likely than ever that he will end up staying in Philadelphia. The possibility of a trade remains on the table, but bettors clearly see the likelihood of a trade diminishing. The only frontrunner that hasn’t seen its odds drop is the Golden State Warriors, who stayed at +300, or a 25% chance of a deal. It is clear that bettors do not see the Simmons market as a very strong market.

It doesn’t seem like everything we hear about it, does it? Are all sports bettors playing against the grain here? It looks like the players are saying “we don’t see the formal trade request as so much of a needle mover here”.

Is it possible that Morey and the Sixers now need to demonstrate a willingness to jump into the season in the face of a delay to remind low-ball teams that there is no discernible difference in Simmons’ worth as a player here? Or something. Seize the straws, of course.

I wonder if Simmons is really determined to hang in there or if it’s just a threat. I wonder if he’s willing to hang in there, but has a “list of demands” that could be met and that might change their mind.

Yeah, I wanna go out, but if you don’t trade me right away, I’d like to at least [insert anything from new role to new coach to new private locker room inside the stadium].

Embiid tweets

Joel Embiid may have tried to look good and suggested he would like to play with Simmons yesterday:

He even joined Danny Green in asking Sixers fans to show more solidarity:

But Embiid also joined Green in going too far, undermining his own remarks. Here, the last line on “not everyone is built like this” probably doesn’t help Joel accomplish what he originally planned.

If Embiid wanted to make Daryl Morey’s life a little easier while he was busy, he probably would have skipped that last line. And Danny Green might choose to dodge some of those hypothetical “in case Ben gets traded,” Howard Beck lobbed.

There certainly won’t be a Kumbaya here. It’s hard to imagine Simmons wanting to return and it’s hard to imagine the players welcoming him with open arms. And it all makes Morey’s job harder, no matter how gutsy he has.

If only we could get back to half-time in Game 5 against the Hawks. There might have been 1,000 ways they could have pulled this game off and it would probably be different today.