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Warriors owner shoots down Simmons trade interest

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Golden State Warriors have seemingly removed themselves from contention for Ben Simmons' services.

The Warriors are among several teams reportedly pursuing the disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers guard. However, a move for the three-time All-Star doesn't make much sense, according to team owner Joe Lacob.

"In some ways, it doesn't really fit what we're doing. He makes a lot of money. And, can he finish games? I don't know," Lacob told the San Francisco Chronicle's Rusty Simmons.

Mindful of the NBA's tampering rules, Lacob referred to Simmons as the "Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Philadelphia." The owner added, "He's very talented. The problem is: We have Draymond (Green)."

"Draymond and (Simmons) are very similar in the sense that neither one really shoots, and they do a lot of the playmaking. That's one issue," Lacob said. "The salary structure is another."

Simmons is owed $33 million next season, an amount that balloons to $40.3 million by 2024-25, the final year of his current deal. Golden State is slated to shell out $176.8-million in contracts this season - the highest mark in the league - and would have to include the likes of Andrew Wiggins ($31.6M) or Green ($24M) with draft picks for Simmons.

Earlier in the offseason, the Warriors reportedly denied the 76ers' proposed package of James Wiseman, Wiggins, the Nos. 7 and 14 selections in the 2021 draft, and two future first-round picks.

Simmons and the Sixers remain at a standstill prior to the start of training camp on Sept. 28. On Wednesday, head coach Doc Rivers confirmed reports of Simmons' trade request, saying the 25-year-old spoke to the club's brass.

"It was a good conversation and he gave his reasons, which we obviously didn't agree with," Rivers told ESPN's First Take.

The 2016 first overall pick is coming off a disastrous postseason highlighted by 34.2% shooting from the free-throw line and a series of questionable offensive decisions, particularly during late-game situations.

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