Daryl Morey says 76ers are prepared four years to trade Ben Simmons

Morey said that he may need four years before finding the right partner to trade Ben Simmons.

Per Philly Voice, “People should buckle in. This is going to take a long time,” Morey said.

“You’re going to think I’m kidding, I’m not, this could be four years,” Morey said. “The conditions I’m pointing out to you don’t change. Unless Ben Simmons is traded for a difference-maker, we’re in the prime of Joel [Embiid]’s career. We have to get back either Ben Simmons playing well for us, who helps us win the championship, or we have to get back a difference-maker for Ben Simmons. Or this could be four years from now, and we’re still like, ‘Hey, we took the best shot at it we could.’

“This could be four years. This is not day-to-day. Every day, we’re going to expect Ben Simmons to be back here, or we’re trading him for a difference-maker. There’s no other outcome that doesn’t materially hurt our chance to win the championship in Joel Embiid’s prime.

“We would want him to play and be back starting tomorrow. But if he chooses to take some other path, that’s his choice.”

Simmons has four seasons remaining on his contract with the 76ers.