Doc Rivers has entered the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Dan Burke will serve as acting head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Rivers is in his second season with the Sixers. 

As NBA teams get players out of the health and safety protocols, trade talks are expected to pick back up. That means the Ben Simmons trade buzz should get going again too.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one team to watch in trade talks for Simmons. The Cavs previously had interest in the disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers star. Cleveland's good start to the season, plus Simmons fitting their roster's timeline age-wise, make them a good match for Simmons.

The Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are also expected to show renewed interest in getting a trade done for Simmons.

The Philadelphia 76ers will sign Tyler Johnson using a hardship exception. 

Johnson appeared in 39 games with the Brooklyn Nets last season. 

With COVID outbreaks around the NBA, combined with injuries, several NBA teams are struggling to put competitive rosters on the court. As such, the NBA has postponed five games through Tuesday, December 21.

The postponed games are:

Denver Nuggets at Brooklyn Nets - Sunday, December 19

Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks - Sunday, December 19

New Orleans Pelicans at Philadelphia 76ers - Sunday, December 19

Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors - Monday, December 20

Washington Wizards at Brooklyn Nets - Tuesday, December 21

This brings the total number of postponed games to seven. The league previously postponed two Chicago Bulls games against the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors.

The NBA and NBPA are continuing talks on increased roster sizes, as well as lack of cap/tax penalties when a player is signed via hardship.

The Philadelphia 76ers have maintained their patience in trading Ben Simmons with the expectation that a true star who is not currently available would eventually become available.

While Damian Lillard has continued to pledge his fidelity to the Portland Trail Blazers, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report writes that "the Sixers and other teams around the league remain optimistic he could eventually request a trade prior to the 2022-23 season."

The Blazers are heading into an uncertain period following the firing of Neil Olshey and their status as non-contenders in the Western Conference. 

The Philadelphia 76ers have ramped up their efforts to trade Ben Simmons.

The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams interested in Simmons.

It is unclear, however, how much traction the 76ers have on a potential trade. The 76ers are currently asking teams for an All-Star-caliber player and/or multiple first-round draft picks for Simmons.

Simmons has yet to play for the 76ers this season as he's expressed the sentiment that he's not mentally ready to rejoin the team.

While the Philadelphia 76ers have gained momentum in a trade of Ben Simmons, the Portland Trail Blazers have made it clear that Damian Lillard is not available. 

Lillard has expressed his commitment to remain with the Blazers.

Interim general manager Joe Cronin has also expressed a strong commitment to continue building around Lillard.

The future of the Blazers has been uncertain this year following their slow start amid rumors of a potential trade request from Lillard. 

The Philadelphia 76ers have gained momentum in their attempts to trade Ben Simmons as more teams have become engaged.

The 76ers have sought a top-25 player in exchange for Simmons and have discussed two-team and three-team scenarios. 

The possibility of a trade opens up on December 15th when players that signed offseason deals become eligible for inclusion in a deal.

While Damian Lillard has been a target of interest to the 76ers, the Portland Trial Blazers have made it clear that he is not available. 

Ben Simmons hasn't publicly specified if he would prefer to play for any particular teams when he's traded by the Philadelphia 76ers, but the San Antonio Spurs appear to be on the list. 

"I've heard that Ben Simmons would welcome the opportunity to play for Popovich if the Spurs found a way to acquire him," writes Marc Stein at Substack. 

The Spurs have discussed a trade for Simmons with the 76ers, but they lack the type of star Daryl Morey is believed to be seeking.

The Philadelphia 76ers have consistently sought a legitimate star such as Damian Lillard in exchange for Ben Simmons, which has meant that a second tier star such as CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers hasn't been of interest. 

"My reporting is Philly has really never gotten anywhere in terms of being interested in McCollum. Philly has just been 'Dame or nothing,'" said Zach Lowe on his podcast on Tuesday. 

"Unless, you know there's been these reports about three picks, or three pick swaps, or blah, blah, blah. I don't know how real that ever was, but I don't think there's ever been any real traction to this point of Philly wanting CJ McCollum."