A Royal Pain
Fansided

Report: Sacramento Kings End Pursuit of Ben Simmons

By Zach Ciavolella

Jun 20, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons warms up before game seven of the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons warms up before game seven of the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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As we approach the NBA trade deadline, more and more news makes its way to the front lines; the latest example involves the Kings and one of their top targets. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on perspective), the Sacramento Kings are no longer pursuing Philadelphia 76ers’ star, Ben Simmons.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Kings, who have been one of the most serious teams pursuing Simmons, have moved on from trade talks with Philadelphia and are now looking elsewhere when it comes to potential trades. Woj didn’t mention any other potential targets at the moment, but more and more news will surely come in time.

This is not an overwhelming surprise as report after report has alluded to the sky-high price the Sixers are asking for in return for Simmons. Rumors include desiring Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, and multiple first-round picks. Clearly too high of a price for a team with as many needs as the Kings.

With the current issues Sacramento is facing, selling the farm for Ben Simmons doesn’t quite add up.

In the midst of a five-game losing streak, it’s clear that change is necessary for the Kings; however, nearly emptying the tank for Ben Simmons may not be the wisest solution. The argument could easily be made that Sacramento is better off trading off veterans, acquiring picks, and reevaluating the situation in the offseason.

With young, exciting players like De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, why would Sacramento be so willing to move on from two of their youngest and most talented players for one single player who has never been “the guy” for a franchise? It would be irresponsible to move on in such a rash fashion just for the sake of possibly making the playoffs maybe.

Next. Ranking the Sacramento Kings’ trade chips heading into 2022. dark

For now, the Simmons’ talks are dead, and while they may end up sparking back up at some point, the team has moved on, and so should everyone else. There are plenty of other players in the trade market sea, and the Kings should take their time, at least when it comes to any deal involving De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton.

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