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The NBA trade deadline is one week away. Which stars could be on the move?
Last season’s deadline saw two major deals among the flurry of last-minute trades, both involving the Orlando Magic’s massive rebuild: The Denver Nuggets acquired forward Aaron Gordon, while the Chicago Bulls dealt for center Nikola Vucevic.
Will Ben Simmons be one of this season’s impact players traded? While Simmons’ days in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey are likely over, the franchise has remained steadfast in its high asking price for the three-time All-Star.
Could the Indiana Pacers, likely headed for the draft lottery this season, break up their star big man duo of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner? Could the Los Angeles Lakers, currently battling for seeding among the Western Conference play-in contenders, surprise and pull off a blockbuster? Which team most needs to make a move right now?
Our NBA Insiders break down the biggest storylines, including one bold prediction for trade deadline week.
The specter of this saga haunts Simmons and the 76ers
1. Fact or fiction: Ben Simmons will be a 76er at 3:01 p.m. ET on Feb. 10.
Tim Bontemps: Fiction. Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but with Joel Embiid playing better than he ever has and the 76ers a staggering 27-11 when he’s available this season, Philadelphia has to make a move to get better right now. And while obviously making a terrible trade now would have long-lasting ramifications on the franchise, Philadelphia hired Daryl Morey precisely to make these kinds of trades. Also, it’s virtually impossible to see a scenario in which Simmons plays for Philadelphia again. So, if he isn’t traded now, is there any real certainty there will be a better deal available in six months?
Jamal Collier: Fact. Unfortunately, this situation doesn’t seem much closer to a resolution than a few months ago. The Sixers don’t seem ready to budge on moving Simmons, unless they get what they have deemed is the right return, and I’d guess they’ll have a…
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Source : espn
