Ben Simmons trade rumors: Why 76ers might be smart to start considering prospect-centric packages

It doesn't seem like the level of player the Sixers covet is currently an option

The Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons are almost certainly not long for each other. After trade speculation turned into Simmons threatening not to report for training camp, the only questions are where and when Simmons will be traded, and what the Sixers will get in return.  Sixers czar Daryl Morey started off asking for the moon. Nobody bit. He was hoping Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal would become available, but that hasn't happened yet. It might not happen at all. Even if it does, are those teams going to be looking to start a rebuild with a guy like Simmons, or might they want to go the increasingly popular route of young prospects and picks?  If it's the latter, Philadelphia doesn't have a package to offer. But it might if it moves Simmons now, then uses the return for a second move down the road. The Sixers are in win-now mode and would thus prefer a return package centered on a player, or players, that can enhance their championship prospects beyond what they would be by just keeping Simmons, who is still under contract for the next four seasons. But there's no saying they have to get that player right away.