The team Ben Simmons wants to play for has been named — but his dream was dead before it even began, according to a report.
Ben Simmons’ dream scenario is reportedly a trade to the Golden State Warriors.
The Australian has returned to hold a series of training workouts with his Philadelphia team this week and there are hopes for an eventual return to playing for the team.
However, a report on Friday claimed Simmons’ preference is still for the team to trade him.
NBA Analysis Network reports the Warriors are Simmons’ top preference, despite the team coming out publicly and denying interest in the 25-year-old.
Simmons’ future remains the juiciest story in the NBA as he continues to angle for a way out of Philadelphia and the 76ers attempt to hold on to their three-time All-Star — or trade him for another All-Star level “difference maker”.
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It’s a sticking point that lead to Philly’s president of basketball operations Daryl Morey to say the saga could drag on for “four years” which is when Simmons’ five-year $US168 million ($A225 million) contract ends.
The visionary point guard officially requested a trade in August after the team had already been exploring potential trades with rival teams.
It came after the disastrous end to the team’s Eastern Conference playoffs campaign where Simmons suffered a meltdown in the series loss to Atlanta and then appeared to be blamed for the Game 7 defeat by coach Doc Rivers and star teammate Joel Embiid.
Ever since the elimination, trade destination rumours about Simmons have swirled with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, Portland Trailblazers and Golden State all reported to have some interest in exploring a trade.
However, Morey reportedly continues to demand a high price in exchange for letting Simmons walk, scaring potential suitors away.
The NBA Analysis Network report claims Simmons sees the Warriors as a “perfect fit” for the next stage of his career.
There has previously been speculation Simmons could be an upgraded version of what the Warriors already have in cult-hero Draymond Green.
Where Simmons would fit on the court with the Warriors and what his potential role would be remains unclear.
It is why a report earlier this week claimed the door is already shut on Simmons moving to the Warriors.
NBC Sports’ local Bay Area reporter Kerith Burke wrote this week the Warriors aren’t interested in Simmons for a number of reasons, including his salary being too high, Philadelphia’s demand of future first round draft picks being too high and coach Steve Kerr remaining reluctant to mess with the chemistry his team has shown early in the NBA season.
Warriors team owner Joe Lacob made public comments about Simmons last month and was fined $US50,000 ($AUD70,000) for violating the NBA’s anti-tampering rules.
Lacob told the San Francisco Chronicle the Warriors weren’t looking to recruit Simmons after rumours emerged the two parties could be keen to link up.
“I think we are always looking at everything to see if we can improve our team. We would always look,” Lacob said. “In some ways, (trading for Simmons) doesn’t really fit what we’re doing.
“He makes a lot of money. And, can he finish games? I don’t know. He’s very talented. The problem is: We have Draymond (Green). Draymond and him are very similar in the sense that neither one really shoots and they do a lot of the playmaking.
“That’s one issue. The salary structure is another.”
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer last month reported Simmons at that point wanted to be traded to one of the three NBA teams based in California — Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers.
The stalemate is showing no signs of an end with Philadelphia standing firm despite the saga dragging weeks into the disrupted start to the Sixers’ season.
Simmons was fined more than $2 million for skipping the team’s training camp and pre-season games before the team reportedly made a decision this week to stop fining him for missing games — after he had fronted up and told teammates he was not mentally ready to play for the team.
Simmons had been sent home from training and suspended for one game when he failed to participate in a training drill last week and had been spotted snubbing the team’s group huddle at the end of practice.
It appears the team still desperately needs Simmons with Embiid’s fitness remaining a recurring issue that could kill the team’s season.
It was revealed that Simmons has been seeing a mental health professional for months and the Sixers are continuing to pay the Aussie despite him not stepping onto the floor through the side’s 3-2 start to the season.
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