The Los Angeles Lakers are always sure to be a star destination. They can be in a rebuild or contending, and guys will turn their eyes to the franchise. This past offseason, they secured Russell Westbrook over the summer. In 2018, LeBron James joined the squad and in 2019, Anthony Davis also chose to call Los Angeles home. Ben Simmons is another name that has been on the market. His situation with the Philadelphia 76ers has been one of the most controversial in league history.
To this point, both sides remain at an impasse and resolution is beyond anything that fans can predict. Today, The Athletics Shams Charania shed a little light on what teams could be home for Ben Simmons next:
The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams interested in Simmons, sources said, although it’s unclear how much traction Philadelphia truly has on any move.
Although it’s exciting, the Lakers would have to move heaven and Earth to meet a deal with the Sixers financially. On top of that, assets would have to be pulled from the future to get it done. Sixers’ President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey, has made it clear that he wants an all-star in return for Simmons. The Lakers all-stars are untouchable. Because of that, any realistic trade involving the Lakers securing Simmons would almost certainly have to involve a third team bringing an all-star to Morey’s doorstep. Is all of that too complicated for the Lakers to pull off? Most likely.
It’d cause an absolute riot if General Manager Rob Pelinka decided to meet the demand of what’s anticipated from the Sixers. At the end of the day, we have seen crazier things. You just never can predict anything with Klutch Sports, the Lakers, and Morey involved.
