Houston keen on Simmons deal

THE Ben Simmons trade saga has taken another turn after reports emerged that the Houston Rockets are “seriously interested” in acquiring the Australian before the start of training camp.

NBA teams are scheduled to begin their camps next week ahead of the new season which starts a few weeks after that.

Simmons’ management has apparently made it clear to Philadelphia he will not attend the team’s camp as he looks to push through a trade after being made public enemy No.1 following the Sixers’ dismal playoffs run at the end of last season.

The Sixers were also keen to trade Simmons but put a king’s ransom on him.

This turned off any potential interest, leaving them to deal with the prospect of trying to reintegrate him into the squad.

However, reports emerged last week that John Wall could be on his way out of Houston and now

Simmons is wanted to replace him. NBA journalist Evan Dammarell revealed Houston was planning to have its squad settled in time for camp, meaning any trade for Simmons, with Wall going the other way, would need to happen in the next week.

Wall makes more than $US44m a season, meaning the Sixers would also need to throw in a player such as Simmons’ fellow Aussie Matisse Thybulle to make the deal work.