After a few weeks of silence, we finally got a new update for Ben Simmons long story. Trade talks involving Philadelphia 76ersThe All-Star goalkeeper has been gaining momentum in recent days, and there are three teams on the table, According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe of ESPN.

Simmons has not played for the Sixers this season after asking for a deal and initially refusing to show up at training camp. He has since reported to Philadelphia but told the team he didn’t feel mentally ready to play. The Sixers, who have fined Simmons at various points during the process, have so far turned down any deals because they are trying to get what they feel will be a fair return.

Daryl Morey, Sixers’ head of basketball operations, has stated publicly that he would feel no pressure to move Simmons and was willing to wait years, if necessary, to find the right deal. However, with Joel Embiid In the middle of their prime and having another great season, the Sixers can’t afford to waste this year, especially as the top of the Eastern Conference approaches. You’ll definitely be letting Simmons sit all season trying to increase your leverage, which is another thing to let that actually happen.

Another factor that could lead to trade in the near future is that players who signed new contracts in free agency this summer It will be eligible to trade on December 15th. That’s an additional 106 players that can be included in deals, or roughly 25 percent of the league. Obviously not all of them will be on the move, but it shows how flexible the teams will be once that date arrives.

None of this guarantees that Simmons will actually be dealt, but there is a clear incentive for the Sixers to get some kind of payoff that will help their team, and much more trading options will be available in the coming days.

One specific note worth mentioning is that the trade sends Simmons to Portland Trail Blazers One of the most widely discussed possibilities seems unlikely with a two-team deal. Per WojnarowskiThe Blazers have made it clear Damian Lillard It will not be traded. at the same time, Sixers don’t care about getting CJ McCollum. As such, it’s very hard to see how anything will be accomplished unless a third team is involved.