PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a lay up against the Los Angeles Lakers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
For Los Angeles Lakers fans hoping the team will trade for Ben Simmons this summer, NBA insider Marc Stein has come out and said it won’t be happening.
Ever since the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks, trade rumors have been flying all over the place for Ben Simmons. He had a rough postseason and countless fans are calling for him to leave town. Could a move to LA be on the way?
While Los Angeles Lakers supporters would love adding Simmons to the already loaded roster, NBA insider Marc Stein has basically come out and said that won’t be happening. Why? Well, for starters, LA just doesn’t have the financial resources to make such a move.
Marc Stein is all basically ruling out a Ben Simmons trade for the Los Angeles Lakers
“The Lakers, remember, face such severe financial restrictions that re-signing Dennis Schröder might be the splashiest move they can make this offseason,” Stein wrote. “If they prove willing to trade Kyle Kuzma or even Talen Horton-Tucker to push those limits, that’s still not going to get them into Simmons territory.”
At the same time, Stein noted that Simmons going to Los Angeles wouldn’t even really be a good fit. Simmons has been blasted in Philadelphia. How could he take his game to the next level if he were to get scrutinized by the wild folks over in LA?
For Simmons, he’s got to simply clear his head and try to move forward. Getting over his rough 2021 postseason won’t be easy, but when he’s at the top of his game he really is a star in this league. It’s up in the air if he’ll get a fresh start elsewhere or if the 76ers will try and let him do his thing with Joel Embiid next season.