NBA Trade Rumors: Sixers still prefer not to trade Ben Simmons

NBA Trade Rumors: The Philadelphia 76ers still prefer to keep Ben Simmons; it remains to be seen whether that will actually happen. 

The Philadelphia 76ers are still holding out hope that Ben Simmons will be back with the team at some point this season. In fact, according to a recent report, that’s their No. preference as it pertains to the Simmons saga.

Even though this is far from a ground-breaking revelation, considering that the Sixers have gone through nearly half the year without Simmons blinking on his stance is at least somewhat surprising.

Simmons has maintained that he wants a trade away from the Sixers and he has yet to play in a game for the team this season. Philadelphia, for their own right, has stood their own ground and has said no at every turn to Simmons’ camp.

With the NBA Trade Deadline quickly approaching, the Simmons questions are only going to get louder and louder. Though, at least for now, it seems as if the Sixers are going to continue to stand their ground – as they hold out hope that Simmons will return at some point this season.

Considering where the Sixers are without Simmons this season, this preference for the team shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The Sixers have clearly struggled without Simmons in the lineup this season. They’re currently 21-16 and are ranked 5th in the Eastern Conference. The absence of Simmons has certainly impacted the Sixers this season and they’ve taken a step back in terms of being a true championship contender.

That has to be part of the reasoning when it comes to the hope that Simmons eventually returns this season; their chances of being contenders this season likely hinges on Simmons’ decision to return or stay away from the team.

That said, considering how long this has already dragged on, I’m not sure how likely that is. It doesn’t hurt to hope, however.