NBA Rumors: San Antonio Spurs Inquire About Ben Simmons Contract; Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge Eye Young PF

Apr 25, 2017 04:23 AM EDT

The San Antonio Spurs are looking to score their third win against the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA playoffs in an effort to take back the lead once again. However, it looks like their players need more than just great coaching from Gregg Popovich and incredible leadership from Kawhi Leonard. They need younger stars for nights when Pau Gasol, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili fail to live up to the expectations. Will a Ben Simmons contract be a good investment?

The Philadelphia 76ers has one notable motto: "Trust the process." For years now, the Jahlil Okafor team has been waiting for their break in the league. When they signed Joel Embiid, fans thought that they finally got someone who can elevate their status to All-Star potential soon. They did get that type of player, but his injuries stopped him from becoming the star they needed.

Then, there was Ben Simmons. The Philadelphia 76ers once again invested their time and energy to get the Aussie star - much to the chagrin of his fans who wanted him to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers and play with D'Angelo Russell. As luck would have it, the rookie also fell victim to injuries with Ben Simmons missing the entire season as well. So, what's next for the Philadelphia 76ers?

Rumors are rife that the Philadelphia 76ers may be listening to trade offers linked to the Ben Simmons contract. Speculations reveal that the rookie's recovery period may no longer be accommodated by the team already ridden with injuries courtesy of Joel Embiid. Considering the impressive season of their center, which even reportedly inspired the Nerlens Noel trade to the Detroit Pistons, the Philadelphia 76ers area anticipated making available the Ben Simmons contract to other teams. Will there be takers?

"I'm not talking about Draymond, I'm not talking about LeBron, I'm talking about a point guard. And so I intend on trying this. You always get into conversations - 'Well, that's fine, who does he guard?' I don't see him guarding the opposition's point guard," Sixers head coach Brett Brown said of Ben Simmons.

He added, "It could end up he guards who guards him, so you're not cross-matched in transition defense. Having said that, I expect that other teams aren't going to go put Chris Paul on Ben Simmons or Isaiah Thomas on Ben Simmons. And so I feel like it's going to be interesting, it is a challenge, it is ambitious, but my starting point is where I end up: he's got a quality that he wants the ball and he loves to pass. And so we're going to persevere and see where this plays out."

Among the NBA teams reportedly interested in a Ben Simmons contract are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. However, the San Antonio Spurs are said to be aggressively pursuing young players in the league in an effort to solve their problems concerning the veteran stars on their roster. However, it remains to be seen if a Ben Simmons contract will soon be out of the Sixers roster.