Stinar For Three: Ben Stinar Breaks Down the Ben Simmons Situation With The Philadelphia 76ers

FastBreak on FanNation reporter Ben Stinar sat down with publisher Tom Brew to talk about Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers in Episode 1 of our daily video on hot topics around the league.

The NBA season starts in one week, and the Ben Simmons drama in Philadelphia is still at the forefront of the NBA world. 

What is the latest? 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that Simmons, who had been away from the organization during training and vowed to not every play again for the Sixers, returned to Philadelphia and showed up to the Sixers' practice facility, according to Wojnarowski

The 76ers have already played three preseason games without Simmons and their first game of the regular season is in New Orleans against the Pelicans on Oct. 20.

Sources: Sixers were unaware Simmons was flying into Philadelphia today. The organization was in constant contact with agent Rich Paul, but Simmons simply showed up at arena to take his Covid test prior to Sixers-Nets tip -- and that's when team officials knew he was in town. https://t.co/j3cGnC6mgG

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 12, 2021

What teams are interested in trading for the All-Star?

While Simmons, who is a 25-year-old three-time All-Star, does not have the trade value he once did due to his playoff performance and the publicity of this entire situation, there are still many teams interested. 

Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inqurier reported on Oct. 2 that the six teams have shown interest in trading for Simmons, the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves. 

A league source said the Timberwolves, Pacers, Cavaliers, Pistons, Raptors and Spurs are still inquiring about Ben Simmons’ availability.

Simmons vs. Sixers: An inside look at a messy NBA divorce https://t.co/pF1YNcWHBK via @phillyinquirer

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 2, 2021

What teams make the most sense?

I think the two teams that would benefit the most from Simmons would be the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves. 

The Pacers have the best package in terms of what could help the 76ers win right now. Malcolm Brogdon averaged 21.2 points per game, while shooting 38.8% from the three-point range last season. 

In addition, Caris LeVert is a borderline All-Star who averaged 20.2 points per game last season and his points per game have gone up all five seasons he has been in the NBA. 

Indiana is a small-market team who cannot attract players like Simmons in free agency, and they also have too good of a team to tank get a top draft pick. 

As for the Timberwolves, they would make the most sense in terms of what Simmons could do playing with D'Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. 

That team could be a top-four team in the Western Conference. 

However, they will have to get clever in what their trade package could be for the 76ers.