NBA Insider Zach Lowe reveals how Sixers’ star Ben Simmons is plummeting his trade value with his abysmal playoff performances
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The 2021 NBA Playoffs are entering their final stages. With their win tonight, the Sixers have forced yet another Game 7. Both the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals series are now heading to a Game 7. Meanwhile, in the West, the Suns had booked their Conference Finals spot around a week ago. They swept the NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets to get there. The Clippers just beat the Jazz 4-2 to claim the final spot in the West.
While some have had tremendous performances in the playoffs, the case is not the same for Ben Simmons. The 24-year-old has been lacking on the offensive end, and his horrendous free throw percentage has cost the Sixers multiple games. Simmons has stopped attempting shots at all and is becoming a liability on the offensive end for the Sixers.
Zach Lowe shares how Ben Simmons trade value has dropped
Earlier in the season, Daryl Morey was heard rejecting a James Harden-Ben Simmons trade. He may be regretting the same now. Due to Simmons’ horrific playoff performances, it is now assumed that Morey would put the 24-year-old on the trading block. However, ESPN’s Zach Lowe fears it may be a little too late.
On the ‘The Low Post’ podcast, Lowe revealed how many GMs, who were earlier interested in trading for Simmons, now have seemed to lose interest. He said,
“I have news for Philly fans, the GMs of the other teams watch the playoffs very very closely. And there are definitely teams that I have talked to in the last 48 hours who were once in on Simmons, who say, at lease to me, it could be posturing, ‘eh, we’re a little less in than we used to be.’”
Teams keeping an eye on Ben Simmons have lost some degree of interest after seeing his performances in these playoffs, per @ZachLowe_NBA. pic.twitter.com/zqb1Cp02Tv
— Joelphia (@Joelphia) June 18, 2021
Lowe then explained further by taking an example. He said,
“I know Sixers fans will be disappointed because even a week ago they were talking about Lillard and now we’re talking about McCollum but I think you have to to consider it.”
Ben Simmons sure cannot be traded for the biggest star on any team now, especially after how he’s done in these playoffs. However, he would have a chance to redeem himself if he can get his team past Game 7. Game 7 takes place on Sunday.