Ben Simmons Blockbuster Trade Rumors: Sixers Could Trade 2 Stars

PHILADELPHIA, PA — As the Ben Simmons saga enters its latest chapter, a new rival of the Sixers has emerged as a potential suitor, and one of the team's other key players is suddenly connected to talks.

The team which arguably is more responsible than anyone else for Simmons' decline in status in the eyes of Philadelphia fans, the Atlanta Hawks, is taking a noted interest in acquiring him, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

"The Hawks are an emerging potential landing spot for Simmons, whose Defensive Player of the Year-caliber play would surely elevate one of the league’s bottom five defenses," Charania wrote recently.

Among the players Charania connects to the Sixers in return are John Collins and Norristown native Cam Reddish.

But the rumors took an even more dizzying turn this week, when it was mentioned ESPN's Hoop Collective podcast host Brian Windhorst mentioned that Sixers star Tobias Harris could also head to the Hawks in the deal.

Such a move would totally remake the Sixers core lineup, which has been centered around Simmons and Harris, along with Joel Embiid, for years.

Simmons has not played for the Sixers once in the 2021-22 season, but Philadelphia remains in the hunt, just four games out of first in the Eastern Conference and in the midst of a seven game winning streak.