NBA Trade Rumors: Hawks declined this offer from the 76ers that included 3 first-round picks

The Hawks and 76ers have been linked numerous times regarding a trade surrounding Ben Simmons, who has still not yet played a game for the franchise this season. Obviously, he’s stuck to his word of never playing for the Sixers again as Philadelphia management figures out a trade package suitable for the All-Star.

Matt Moore of Action Network recently revealed an offer Philly made to Atlanta that included the Hawks sending John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and three first-round picks in exchange for Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris. Moore noted the Hawks weren’t interested in such a framework to acquire Simmons but added that “their interest in Simmons is very real.”

Daryl Morey’s ridiculous asking price for Simmons continues to amaze me. Obviously, that offer was too rich for Travis Schlenk’s blood, but Morey has been shopping Simmons around town with entirely unrealistic expectations.

With that being said, it is obvious why Schlenk is interested in Simmons. Trae Young needs a co-star who can take pressure off him as a second ball-handler, ideally with some chops on the defensive end of the court. With him being one of the best defenders in the Association, Simmons makes a lot of sense on paper for the Hawks.

It is clear Schlenk intends to make an acquisition before the trade deadline in less than two weeks as the Hawks were reportedly linked with Jerami Grant and Derrick White. The Hawks are two games out of the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference standings, but they’re also on a five-game win streak at the time of this writing, so it isn’t crazy to think Atlanta makes up that ground even before the All-Star break.

An infusion of talent seems certain to this point, but who it will be is still a mystery. Whoever Schlenk trades for Hawks fans can expect that player to be a solid defensive piece for this team.