The Sacramento Kings have been been included as serious suitors in pretty much every Ben Simmons rumor since the offseason officially got underway. It’s no secret that Monte McNair would like to level up his roster by acquiring a bona fide star, but it hasn’t been made clear yet just how far he’d be willing to go to make a deal like that happen.
Earlier this month, reports out of Philly indicated that Daryl Morey wasn’t going to rush into any deals, they’d remain patient, Simmons would not come cheap, and the 76ers would be perfectly content bringing Ben back if need be. And while I’m sure that’s how Morey would prefer this whole process to play out, it seems fairly clear now that it will not. In fact, Ben Simmons and his mega-agent Rich Paul have basically said as much through the press.
Ben Simmons tells #Sixers brass he no longer wants to be a Sixer and does not intend to report to training camp, according to multiple sources. https://t.co/17X1XfkzZO via @phillyinquirer
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) August 31, 2021
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the relationship is apparently so damaged that Klutch wants Tyrese Maxey out of Philly as well.
A few local Philadelphia based organizations had planned on partnering with Maxey on some community events. They were told to cancel those plans. Paul would not like Maxey to grow roots in Philly if he could be gone.
— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) August 31, 2021
Rich Paul has asserted himself in recent seasons as one the most powerful agents in the game and he has a history of dictating where his clients end up.
Enter secret weapon and confusing King’s trade acquisition: Tristan Thompson.
It had honestly slipped my mind that Ben Simmons was represented by Klutch Sports Group until the Maxey reports leaked earlier this afternoon. Upon being reminded of this and subsequently considering how much influence Rich Paul would likely have on the Ben Simmons discussions, I decided to do some digging into the rest of his client list.
It was there I discovered the secret value of Klutch Sports Group’s client, Tristan Trevor James Thompson.
Obviously there’s the Kardashian connection but it also appears Thompson and Simmons are legit buddies.
They spent an offseason working out together.
They buy cakes for each other.
And they even test-drive Lambos together!
So while Ben Simmons is rumored to only want to play for one of three California teams, it would appear that Monte McNair has been doing whatever he can to make sure Sacramento is on the short list.
I never understood why we would trade Delon Wright for Tristan Thompson. I have nothing against him but the fit is pretty weird and the reasoning just never made sense, but after diving down this weird rabbit hole it suddenly felt like Monte McNair was limping out of my office only to turn into Keyser Söze the moment he hit the sidewalk.
Does Delon Wright need better friends? Is Monte McNair playing 4D chess?
“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. – Verbal Kint”
– Monte McNair
The Kardashiangz!
Monte has left 4d chess behind and is now on 6d chess. He has been luring Simmons this whole time.
When you start throwing Maxey into the mix, well that’s just nuts. I expect that if it went through, we’d still only have one Tyrese.
I’d be shocked to see Monte trade his 1st draft pick, especially when it turned out to be arguably the 2nd or 3rd (possibly 1st down the line) best pick of the draft and seems to have innate leadership abilities. Though, admittedly, I also don’t see Fox as the cornerstone of a title contender. So that also can cloud my vision and make Fox more expendable for me.
Not only has Monte wrapped up a deal for Simmons, he also has a plan to trade him in two years for a star rookie.
I love this article so very much
They shoot like each other!
Why can’t we get Kendall Jenner’s NBA sqeeze Devin Booker? No, we have to fish in the Kardashian side of the family.
Simmons was dating Kendall Jenner before Booker.
she knew to dump his ass
Maybe you two can start a gossip column on TKH. 🤙
BB players dribble before they shoot but Simmons can only dribble!
He kept passing up the shot.
Tristan, I see your value now.
Did the oddsmakers put Sacramento at the top of the list because of Tristan Thompson? I don’t remember if the odds changed right after the trade finally went through sending out Delon Wright.
I think it is because the Kings have the most to gamble. They need a bolt of lightning move to alter the course of the franchise, and just might be the team to overpay for Simmons.
They also have Fox, who individually is more than anyone else is willing to offer (If Monte is even willing to move Fox). Dame and Beal aren’t going anywhere unless they demand a trade.
Once we get Simmons, we can trade Tristan.
For Will:
The thought exercise is that the agent will execute a “ I have one client at the end of his NBA rope that we can probably get off the Kings with a buyout after a few months of being difficult and dogging it. But, what if I INSTEAD sent Simmons to basketball hell over his objections for no coherent business or basketball reasons” plan?
Does this make sense to anyone? If so, please explain.
Hey! You stop pissing on my rainbow!
Great article… Love the idea of getting Simmons. Sounds like he’s going to be quite the disruptor in Philly if they don’t trade him before the beginning of the season so the Kings should definitely not overpay. I think Hield, Bagley, and two protected 1st rounders should be enough. It may not be, but it really should be enough considering Ben hasn’t proven that he can shoot free throws above 70% consistently.
Hield and Bagley for Simmons. Nothing more. Suck it Morey
28 other teams might have something to say about that.
Let those bitchez step the fuck on up, then!
Maybe Vivek will give you Monte’s job. Then you can be one of those.
Westbrook was trade for Kumza, Harrel and KCP, and I just don’t see why we cannot get a similar trade to be done.
(i.e. Hield and Bagley and picks)
Gortat after writing this article:
bravo
If he doesn’t show up for to the team for the season, he’s not getting paid, correct?
What’s to stop Philly from forcing Ben’s hand? Especially now that he’s tanked his trade value.
I don’t think Ben is welcome back in the locker room.
That Danny Green interview was fascinating in how he spoke of him in past tense
Yup.
Kangz fans whining about trading one of Hali/Mitchell. The current deck chairs are not getting this team to the playoffs. No way in the West. Simmons will end this awful streak. Why do some Kings fans consistently and constantly overrate their players? When they haven’t made the playoffs in 15 years. None of these players have a single All Star, 1st team D, or single playoff appearance. But, they are deluded in thinking they can get a perennial playoff talent, 1st team D, and Multiple time All Star. For what, a one trick pony and a malcontent. It boggles the mind.
Fine take Mitchell, buddy and barnes for Simmons, thybulle and Maxey
6rs value shooting because it’s what they lacked. Kings value defense because it’s what they lacked. Simmons’ luster has faded as his shooting hasn’t developed and was exposed as a liability in the playoffs due to his inability to shoot, even uncontested shots from 15.09 ft. I honestly think the 6rs overvalue Hield because he’s a pretty ideal fit on that team, and the league undervalues Simmons because they saw him benched in late game situations in the playoffs. I am in no way entertaining Fox in a deal for Simmons. Fox is a better player right now and showed elite playmaking throughout the season. There is every reason to believe he can improve from here. Hali has too much upside, character, and skillset to be included at this point. Having guys that contribute at his level on rookie deals and under team control for the forseeable future makes him untouchable.
So Hield has to be in the deal. Bagley may be seen as a neutral to negative asset at this point so I’m not sure Philly would even want to take him off the King’s hand. If I’m the Kings, I’m not giving away any more shooting, so Barnes is off the table too. So the conundrum is, what else can be offered? I’d give up Mitchell, but I don’t think that fits Philly’s plans either.
This is why I land on Hield and Bagley for Simmons. That may very well get it done. If not, I’d pass. I’m not giving up Fox, and if I have Fox and Simmons playing together, there’s only so much shooting I’d be willing to part with. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Kings involved in a deal involving Simmons and Hield but getting something other than Simmons in return.
This is how I feel.
I’d be bummed giving up Hali, a very likable player, for Simmons, a prima donna.
You make great points about the shooting issue.
Duh, of course we traded for TT to entice Simmons to come to Sactown. Bye Fox.
Bring back the thumbs down, please.
Ughhh why did i click on that TMZ link, my computer has a virus now…not a software issue but probably a legit STI.
If we don’t sell the farm to get him, yeah. Who knows, maybe spite will motivate Ben – he may have played below his potential in the playoffs but he got thrown under the bus too harshly.
“So Luke, what do you think of your new small forward Ben Simmons?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t seen the tape yet…also I don’t speak Australian so there may be some initial language barriers”
Luke doesn’t speak Austrailian! Ha!
That’s ok. Neemias can translate.
I wouldn’t hate an All NBA 1st Team Defensive all-star on the team. Which means it probably isn’t happening.
Thank you for writing this story.
It is an interesting angle on the Simmons talk.
Most of all, thank you for the way you ended the story.
This made my day.
“… but after diving down this weird rabbit hole it suddenly felt like Monte McNair was limping out of my office only to turn into Keyser Söze the moment he hit the sidewalk.
Does Delon Wright need better friends? Is Monte McNair playing 4D chess?
“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. – Verbal Kint”
– Monte McNair”
McNair? He’ll flip ya. Flip ya for real.
I just love seeing an article about possible Kings’ management brilliance instead of what has been the usual for this franchise (articles lamenting mistakes).
Also, I’ve been away from the site for a while, and love that the mods here removed the ‘downvote button’.
Grant Napier is gonna be pissed when he realizes he can’t downvote every comment here anymore.
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