NBA betting: The Warriors are the favorites to land Ben Simmons if the Sixers trade him

The Warriors are the favorites to land Ben Simmons if he gets traded from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Simmons has reportedly demanded a trade from the Sixers and it could simply be a matter of time before he gets traded to another team unless Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey doesn’t think any team can give him what he wants for Simmons.

According to BetMGM, the Warriors are +300 to be Simmons’ next team.

“Ben Simmons has confirmed he wants to leave Philadelphia and many teams are in the mix to acquire the All-Star. Simmons has stated he would like to go to California, and with some trade assets available, the Warriors look to be in the driver’s seat," BetMGM's Darren Darby said.

Here’s a look at the five teams that BetMGM has on the board as possible trade destinations for the embattled guard. If you’re looking to bet on Simmons’ 2021-22 team and he stays with Philadelphia, your bet is voided.

Golden State Warriors (+300)

The Warriors drafted Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody with their first-round picks in the 2021 NBA draft. It reasons that they would have to be included in any deal for Simmons. The Warriors could salary-match Simmons’ contract with Andrew Wiggins and may also have to throw in James Wiseman into the deal and some future first-round picks to make it work.

If he went to Golden State, Simmons would join a starting lineup that features Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson when he returns. While Simmons wouldn’t have to be the team’s primary playmaker and scorer, just how well would he fit into a lineup that already features a guy who doesn’t shoot from the perimeter like Green?

Minnesota Timberwolves (+400)

Simmons would seemingly fit well into a Timberwolves lineup that features Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards. But how does Minnesota acquire him without giving up any of those three players? The cupboard is pretty bare in Minneapolis outside of those three and draft picks aren’t simply going to get it done. The Sixers have an MVP candidate in his prime in Joel Embiid. They aren’t playing for the future.

Sacramento Kings (+600)

The Kings could package Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley and some draft picks in an offer to the Sixers. Would that be enough? Hield and Seth Curry on the outside would provide a ton of spacing for Embiid down low, but the Sixers would still be in need of another primary ballhandler. If a trade package centered around Hield was enough for Philadelphia, could the Sixers work another deal to get a starting-caliber point guard?

San Antonio Spurs (+800)

The Spurs are intriguing, especially if you believe that San Antonio shooting guru Chip Engelland could work wonders with Simmons’ shot and his confidence. But who is going back to Philadelphia in a deal with the Spurs? Dejounte Murray would have to be a part of any deal along with maybe Keldon Johnson and a whole lot more.

Toronto Raptors (+800)

The Raptors dealt Kyle Lowry to the Heat in a sign-and-trade this offseason. There was tension between Pascal Siakam and the franchise during a turbulent 2020-21, and the team says all is now well between Siakam and the Raptors’ staff. Would Toronto part with Siakam and other assets as part of the deal? OG Anunoby may be off-limits to the Sixers in any deal.

Anyone else (+1100)

If you’re not confident in any of the teams listed above making a deal for Simmons, you can go with any of the other 24 teams in the league with this bet. This may not be a bad flier if you think that Simmons’ value is still high and aren’t confident in the trade packages that any of the five teams listed above can provide the Sixers in a deal.