Ben Simmons is staying put.
After much speculation that he would wind up in Houston as part of a package netting Philly James Harden, it looks like Simmons will be a Sixer for the foreseeable future.
As recently as Wednesday afternoon, Simmons looked to be on his way to Houston, with The New York Times reporting that the Rockets were “pursuing” a package headlined by him and rookie Tyrese Maxey.
That never came to fruition, however, with the Nets ultimately pulling the trigger on a deal for the eight-time All-Star, leaving Simmons “pretty ecstatic,” according to a report from ESPN’s The Undefeated.
Though the Nets are the odds-on favorites to win the Eastern Conference, Simmons has good reason to be giddy about Philly’s title chances.
The Sixers are 8-4 (tied for second in the Eastern Conference), are fifth in defensive rating and have provided stars Simmons and Joel Embiid ample floor space with sharpshooting additions Seth Curry and Danny Green.
Simmons is averaging 12.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists this season. He’s in the first year of a five-year pact that runs through the 2024-25 season.
