Philadelphia 76ers: Buying time for a Ben Simmons trade

The Philadelphia 76ers are just buying time before trading Ben Simmons. 

With the regular season set to begin for the Philadelphia 76ers – and every team, for that matter – over the course of the next few days, no news seems like good news. Especially as it pertains to Ben Simmons.

The latest blurb that was reported actually falls into the no news category, as he reportedly practiced with the team on Sunday. After all, what else would we expect from a healthy player that is now officially “with” the team.

The fact that Simmons practiced tells us one of a few things. For one, there’s probably some expectation that he’s going to play with the team – whether that’s on opening night or shortly after.

Second, perhaps that the team is acting like this offseason is now dirt under the rug.

Though, I’m not so sold on either of those things. In fact, I’m not even sold on the idea that the Sixers truly want Simmons to be part of the team’s long-term plans. I firmly believe that the Sixers are playing nice with Simmons at the moment in an attempt to buy time until a trade materializes.

And perhaps that’s the agreement between the two sides behind closed doors. But let’s not act like this is all going to be resolved and all is well between Simmons and the Sixers.

I don’t believe that’s the case and don’t think this season will end on a good note for the Sixers unless Simmons is traded. The last thing any contender needs is a star on the roster that clearly doesn’t want to be there.

And if there’s one thing that we learned during the offseason, it’s that Simmons does not want to be in Philadelphia. Has that changed over the course of the last week? After everything that was reported, it’s hard to say so.

But perhaps maybe it has. Maybe the Sixers have made concessions to Simmons that will make him happy. Maybe he’s had conversations that he needed to have. Maybe all is well between Simmons and the Sixers.

It’s not entirely probable, but it is possible.

I just don’t believe it. I think that will begin to reveal itself soon. The Sixers are playing nice, hoping to buy time for a better deal.

The big question is whether it will work out for the team or if it will blow up in their face?