Kings rumors: Fox, Haliburton are off limits for Ben Simmons trade

Per oddsmakers at MyBookie, the Sacramento Kings are still the favorites to trade for three-time All-Star Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers. Their current odds are +250. According to sources, Simmons actually has no interest of playing for the Kings. However, to get along with others in this league, sometimes players have to go along. At least the guard would now finally have the opportunity to leave Philadelphia.

The three other California teams—Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors—are more appealing to the 25-year-old point guard. They are on his select list of teams. Additionally, there are reports suggesting that new Kings general manager Monte McNair will not package De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton in any potential trade package to acquire Simmons. This news is frustrating for Daryl Morey, the 76ers president of basketball operations.

Nevertheless, 76ers general manager Elton Brand will demand more than multiple first-round draft picks, Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III. Joel Embiid will be 28-years-old in 2022. They have to surround the four-time All-Star with additional perimeter talent. If Philadelphia’s front office botches a potential Simmons-trade, this will place an enormous amount of pressure on head coach Doc Rivers, setting him up for another disappointing season.

Embiid sets the record straight 👀 pic.twitter.com/3gcStwModG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 1, 2021

Players’ statistics and salaries

In the 2020-21 NBA season, Fox averaged 25.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game in 58 games played. Shooting-wise, he is a proven contributor, averaging 47.7 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from behind the arc. The guard accumulated 87 steals, ranking 15th overall in the league. On November 24, 2020, Fox signed a multi-year extension with Sacramento. He earned $8,099,627 in the 2020-21 season and will earn $28,103,550 in the 2021-22 season.

Moreover, in 58 games played last season, Haliburton averaged 13 points, three rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He also had a field goal percentage of 47.2 percent and a three-point percentage of nearly 41 percent. So, these two players are off limits. Haliburton also signed a multi-year contract on November 24th. The point guard earned $3,831,840 last season and is set to make $4,023,600 next season. The 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons are team options.

Ben Simmons’ next team odds