Sources: Kings no longer going for Ben Simmons

The Sacramento Kings, one of the most aggressive teams in the trade market and once an eager suitor for Ben Simmons of Philadelphia, have ended their search for a deal with the 76ers for the point guard, sources told ESPN on Friday.

With two weeks to go until the NBA trade deadline of Feb. 10, the Kings believe the asking price for Simmons is too high and there is no path to a deal with the Sixers, sources said.

The Kings, who have lost five straight and sit 13th in the Western Conference, are determined to reshape their roster and remain committed on several other fronts, sources said.

Sacramento has several players as assets on the market, including forward harrison barnesthe escort buddy hild and the center Richaun Holmes.

The Kings’ roster represented one of the Sixers’ best options for a Simmons deal before the trade deadline. Losing them on the market somewhat diminishes the chances of a trade during the season, although the Sixers still believe there are potential avenues to find a deal in the next two weeks, sources said.

With the Kings walking out of talks and sources saying the Brooklyn Nets will reject any offer for james hardenit becomes a growing possibility that 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is willing to carry Simmons talks into the offseason.

Morey and the Sixers continue to believe that the offseason could offer the availability of higher-profile players in the Simmons trade market. Along with free agency, playoff disappointments often give star teams and players a reason to seek a trade, which could offer the Sixers a broader spectrum of options.

The Sixers have said publicly and privately that they are seeking a deal for Simmons that will return a number of pieces that will keep them in contention for the NBA championship.

Simmons is signed through the 2024-25 season, and the Sixers believe that gives them a head start on waiting for a deal. Simmons wanted a change and refused to play, citing mental health reasons, as the center Joel Embid became an MVP favorite as he leads the Sixers to a 29-19 start, two games behind first-place Miami.