If you thought a Ben Simmons trade was imminent, think again.
Just hours after The Athletic‘s Shams Charania reported Simmons is not expected to play for an “undetermined period of time,” Philadelphia 76ers general manager Daryl Morey joined the local Mike Missanelli Show on 97.5 The Fanatic to discuss the disgruntled star’s future and explain that a trade is not likely on the horizon.
“Right now (with) any sort of trade, which obviously Ben Simmons wants, the best thing we can do is get role players,” said Morey. “That makes no sense, that will give us no better chance to win a title if we were to move Ben Simmons for role players.
“People should buckle in, this is going to go a long time.”
Morey praised Simmons as a difference-maker, declaring that those are the type of players you need to win championships, and maintained the 76ers looked forward to reintegrating him.
That is unless he can trade him for a difference-maker in return.
“My only job is to help us get the best chance to win the title. Ben Simmons is a difference-maker, so if we can get him back he will help us win the title,” said Morey.
“If we can trade Ben Simmons for a difference-maker, we will do it.”
That has rung true with Morey since last season.
When James Harden forced his way out of Houston in a similar fashion to what Simmons has attempted as of late, Morey, who acquired Harden as the previous Rockets general manager, looked to bring Harden to Philadelphia by offering Simmons as the main trade piece.
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer even reported that Simmons was informed by his agent to expect a trade, ironically planting the seeds for the All-Star’s disgruntlement.
Now that Simmons’ value has dipped amid this saga, Morey reaffirmed this could go for a while. Simmons is under contract with Philadelphia until the 2025 off-season.
“You’re going to think I’m kidding, I’m not, this could be four years,” said Morey. “We’re in the prime of Joel’s career. Every day, we are going to expect Ben Simmons to be back here, or we trade him for a difference-maker.”
Until then, Morey says he expects Simmons to be at shootaround Friday, despite reportedly being out for that night’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, and will take the approach of trying to get him to back to playing with the team as soon as possible.
“Every day we’re just gonna handle it like he’s a guy that should be here helping us win games and if he chooses not to do that then we’ll handle it appropriately,” said Morey.
Watch the full interview below:
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