Steve Starr
- BetOnline lists the Portland Trail Blazers (+200) as the favorite to trade for Ben Simmons this offseason
- The Golden State Warriors (+700) have a ton of young assets but Philadelphia is looking to ‘win now’
- The Shanghai Sharks also make a surprising appearance on the board at +3300
Ben Simmons was mercilessly mocked by Charles Barkley and Shaq after demanding a trade last week, but it’s hard to blame the Australian point guard for wanting out of Philadelphia.
Sixers general manager Darryl Morey dangled him in James Harden negotiations last season and Joel Embiid and Doc Rivers both threw the him under the bus after he passed out of a wide-open dunk in their Game 7 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
So, despite signing a $200M extension just last year, it looks like the 25-year-old three-time All-Star will be dealt at some point. Before we look at the odds for where Simmons might land this offseason, here’s where you can find tips and advice for betting on basketball.
Ben Simmons Next team IF Traded
 |
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| Portland Trail Blazers | +200 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +350 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +400 |
| Sacramento Kings | +600 |
| Golden State Warriors | +700 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +900 |
| Toronto Raptors | +1000 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +1400 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +1800 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +2200 |
| Shanghai Sharks | +3300 |
Trail Blazers favored to land Simmons
While NBA superstars demand to be traded all the time, the Ben Simmons saga is a bit of a unique case as the 76ers fashion themselves as championship contenders. Rather than taking a package of future picks, Darryl Morey will be looking for “the missing piece” to pair with Embiid and get Philadelphia back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2001.
Portland (+200) is the obvious favorite as they too have a superstar who might want out. Damian Lillard reaffirmed his commitment to #RipCity in an Instagram post last week, but the Sixers reportedly have their eyes set on the 31-year-old guard and the Blazers may be wise to rebuild while they still can.
Shaq and Chuck share their thoughts on Ben Simmons' reported trade request from Philly 👀
More on the full episode of #TheBigPodcast: https://t.co/ZnXR6KPvnj pic.twitter.com/UvHj6OU4iU
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) September 9, 2021
Some of the worst teams in all of the NBA are also apparently lining up for Simmons’ services.
Minnesota (+350) is reportedly interested in the 6-foot-11 guard, but it’s hard to imagine the trade going through without one of Karl-Anthony Towns or Anthony Edwards being included. Similarly, Cleveland (+400) would have to part with 22-year-old guard Collin Sexton while Sacramento (+600) would have to ship back De’Aaron Fox.
Other possible destinations
Simmons says he wants to go to one of the three big California teams, and given the Lakers and Clippers aren’t possibilities, Golden State (+700) could make sense.
The Warriors are armed with enticing young assets (James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody) and need another star to contend in the loaded West, however, a third team might have to become involved as the 76ers are looking to win now.
Warriors talks for Ben Simmons have 'never even really been alive' despite reports front office is 'split', per @anthonyVslater pic.twitter.com/y3EGMa1rsJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 2, 2021
It’s unlikely that Dejounte Murray could be the centerpiece of a trade package for Simmons, but the Spurs (+900) have probably already put it on the table. Pascal Siakam’s name may have also been floated by the Raptors (+1000).
In an incredible troll job, BetOnline also included the Shanghai Sharks (+3300) on the list of possible trade destinations – a fun nod to the recent trend of NBA fans putting underperforming players on Chinese league teams.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
