League execs think a Ben Simmons deal must return multiple first-round picks

Ethan Fuller
June 25 2021

On "The Dane Moore NBA Podcast," Dane Moore talked about what a Ben Simmons trade could look like from the perspective of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and according to two NBA front office members, interested teams would assuredly need multiple first-round picks to send to Philadelphia in order to get a deal done.

"I talked to two front office members recently about: 'What would it cost to trade for Ben Simmons?' And the first executive, who is an Eastern Conference assistant GM, said, 'If KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns] and Ant [Anthony Edwards] aren't in the deal, aren't in the trade, you're giving up two first-round picks to make it happen," Moore said.

He added, "I brought that price up to a second executive, and he said if it's two firsts, you can definitely protect those picks, because as the exec said, 'Simmons' deal isn't cheap.'"

Simmons' name has been swirling in the rumor mill since the Philadelphia 76ers lost in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The 24-year-old averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game during the regular season. He just finished the first year of a five-year, $169.5 million maximum rookie contract extension.