Warriors among betting favorites to land Simmons, despite reported radio silence with Sixers
Don’t get your hopes up, Warriors fans. But it may be too late.
The chances of Ben Simmons suiting up in the blue and gold this season seemingly took a significant blow Thursday, when The Athletic reported that Golden State and Philadelphia hadn’t spoken since their initial talks before draft night in July. Yet, the Dubs are still drawing steady wagers as the odds-on favorite.
The Warriors lead the betting market at +300, according to OddsChecker, followed by Minnesota (+400), Sacramento (+600), Toronto (+800), San Antonio (+800) and Portland (+1100). Golden State’s odds have remained steady since mid-August but the Raptors have fallen from their spot as one-time favorites at +250.
At +300, that gives the Warriors an implied 25% chance of dealing for the reportedly disgruntled Sixers star, according to OddsChecker. But that’s only one set of odds: According to SportsLine, the Timberwolves (+300), Kings (+400) and Blazers (+700) all have greater or equal odds to the Warriors (+700) of landing Simmons.
Simmons has requested to be traded, according to multiple reports, but one oddsmaker believes the market’s movement is a sign that bettors aren’t confident he’ll be dealt at all.
“Considering odds have gone backward for teams hoping to trade for Ben Simmons, it seems more likely than ever he’ll end up staying in Philadelphia,” OddsChecker’s Kyle Newman told the 76ers blog Liberty Ballers.
Simmons reportedly told the 76ers that he won’t show up for training camp if he’s still on the roster when it begins Sept. 28. If it were up to Simmons, he’d reportedly prefer the destination to be in California.
That gives Bob Myers almost a month to make a deal, if the Warriors are even interested.
According to the report Thursday in The Athletic, the two sides haven’t spoken since their discussion prior to the NBA Draft, when Philadelphia reportedly asked for Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, their two first-round picks this year and two future first-round picks.