NBA Trade News: Simmons/Wall Swap Speculated

Ben Simmons 76ers Saga Could Be Set To End

In another chapter of one of the more tedious sagas of the NBA off-season, it has emerged that Ben Simmons is a target for the Houston Rockets.

The want-away Aussie, who has not changed his stance and his team, reiterated that he has no intention of returning to Philadelphia. The bad feeling surrounding last year’s playoff run for the 76ers is still running deep for their 2016 number 1 draft pick.

The name being bandied around this time is Rockets point guard John Wall. The 5-times former NBA All-Star is seen in some quarters as a good fit for the 76ers. His defensive frailties would be easily covered by the likes of Joel Embiid, Danny Green, and Matisse Thybulle in Philly.

Respected NBA ESPN analyst, Kendrick Perkins, supported the trade, saying it was his opinion that Wall would be a better fit in Philadelphia than the Aussie. Perkins made these comments:

Last year, we got a glimpse of the old John Wall. … I still think John Wall can help somebody. I can see John Wall going to the Clippers, or even maybe Philly. I don’t know what’s going on with the Ben Simmons situation, but I think John Wall in Philly with Joel Embiid is better than Ben Simmons in Philly with Joel Embiid, because John Wall is actually going to take those shots and be aggressive. John Wall is not going to be afraid to go to the free-throw line.

If this deal is to get done it would need to be done quickly, as Houston is determined to have their roster settled by the time their preseason training camp begins. That gives a definitive timeline for a trade to happen. Believe it or not, the Simmons/Philly saga could be over within the week.

Regardless of how things end, it’ll mark a sad end to Simmon’s time at Philadelphia. He was made public enemy number 1 by fans, pundits, and most incredibly, his own teammates. This began after a poor playoff campaign last year saw his team eliminated in game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals by the Atlanta Hawks.

It was an incredible comeback and Simmons was panned by all and sundry for his terrible performance - in that particular game and really across the entire series. It was a huge disappointment for everyone attached to the side as it was viewed as their best chance in years to win a championship ring.

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