Following a report from The Athletic's Shams Charania, which stated that the 76ers made Ben Simmons available in trade talks for James Harden, the organization have left clear that they are not willing to let Simmons go.
The Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, told The Athletic that they are not planning on trading the two-time All-Star.
“We are not trading Ben Simmons,” Morey said. “He is an important part of our future.”
In response, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium: “We are not trading Ben Simmons — he is an important part of our future.” https://t.co/W6T7HQjjoP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2020
Morey's word is not completely reliable, considering Chris Paul revealed that prior to being traded from Houston to Oklahoma City, the former Rockets GM told Paul he was not going to be dealt away.
Morey, who signed a five-year deal to become the new president of basketball operations of the Sixers during the offseason, opted to step down as Rockets GM after a 13-year stint at Houston.
Sources have reported that Harden has continued to push the Rockets for a trade, and his preferred destinations are Brooklyn, Philadelphia or Miami.
Simmons finished his third season averaging 16.4 points, 8.0 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 58.0 percent from the field. Although he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury while at the 'bubble', the 25 year-old has proven his worth in Philadelphia.