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The Sixers have spoken with several teams since their playmaker Ben Simmons requested a trade this summer. At first, the Indiana Pacers would have been in the mix because they were willing to send Malcolm Brogdon to headlining in a package for Simmons. As expected, the Sixers declined.
Although it looked like Indiana had moved away from Simmons-related trade talks over the past two months, they are once again participating in the Simmons draw. While Simmons remains unhappy and unwilling to make things work in Philadelphia, the Pacers are apparently ready to pounce.
But it looks like 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is far from interested in what Indiana has to offer. According to Marc Stein, Brogdon remains an option. The 27-year-old goalkeeper Caris LeVert too. While both players are undoubtedly talented and bring value to the Sixers table, they aren’t moving the needle for Morey just yet.
“Philadelphia was not moved by the Pacers’ ability to put Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert on as headliners of a commercial package,” Stein wrote in one of his last articles. “No matter how unrealistic that sounds, Portland’s Damian Lillard remains the type of star target Morey is looking for.”
Damian Lillard was a key target for Daryl Morey throughout the offseason. As it seemed like the Portland Trail Blazers goalie was ready to request a trade anytime before heading to Tokyo for the Olympics, Lillard never followed through. At this point, he made it clear that Portland would get another shot from him, leaving the Sixers with no chance of landing custody of the superstar.
Since Daryl Morey doesn’t want to settle for less than he thinks Simmons is worth, the 76ers will keep the absent guard on the roster for now. And while Indiana’s offer intrigues outsiders, the Sixers don’t seem as interested in a Brogdon and LeVert-led package as everyone else.
Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.
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