A trade of Ben Simmons by the Philadelphia 76ers remains an apparent inevitability, but no deal is imminent.

The 76ers conducted expansive discussions with several teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors, but neither package was found appealing enough for an agreement to be reached.

The 76ers have told teams they are comfortable bringing back Simmons for the 21-22 season, but rival executives believe it is a matter of when and not if he is traded.

The Timberwolves have been motivated to find a deal for Simmons but would likely require a third team given their asset pool of Malik Beasley, Jaden McDaniels and D’Angelo Russell might not entice the 76ers.

The 76ers continue to seek Damian Lillard, but the Portland Trail Blazers want to build around him. The 76ers may be stuck between waiting out Lillard or trading Simmons now.

The Toronto Raptors have agreed to sign free agent wing Svi Mykhailiuk to a two-year contract. Mykhailiuk will have a player option on the second season.

Mykhailuk split the 2020-21 season with the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder. He averaged 10.3 points per game with the Thunder, while getting the most extensive playing time of his career.

Following the season, Oklahoma City had restricted free agent rights for Mykhailiuk, but rescinded their qualifying offer. This made Mykhailiuk an unrestricted free agent.

The Raptors now have 19 players under contract, including several with at least some guaranteed money for 2021-22.

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux), Jared Weiss of The Athletic (@JaredWeissNBA) and Jared Dubin (@JADubin5) in-depth on the NBA’s Atlantic Division.

They discuss how the 76ers, Celtics, Nets, Raptors and Knicks fared in the off-season and predict the season to come, including projected finish, breakout players and rookies they are most excited to see.

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Masai Ujiri re-signed with the Toronto Raptors this offseason and multiple sources believes his salary to be in the $15 million per season range.

While there is no ownership arrangement, there are some 'equity-like' elements such as earning bonuses based on revenues or even participating int he growth of the valuation of the franchise over the course of his deal. 

The exact details of Ujiri's deal remain vague even after a press conference this week. It is not known how long Ujiri's deal with the Raptors is for. 

“Forever. Put pressure on Larry [Tanenbaum], here,” Ujiri said when asked. “Forever, man. Forever. No, honestly, I’m not going to put out things there. I’m home, man. This is it. We’re going to try to win the best way that we can. It’s a commitment. I’ve always said that when you make that commitment, you make that commitment. That’s what I said eight years ago. I think we honoured it as a family. And that’s what we intend to do always.”

The Toronto Raptors are not currently shopping Pascal Siakam though they are willing to listen to incoming calls.

Siakam, for his part, wants to remain with the Raptors, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic. Siakam has three seasons and $106 million remaining on his contract. Sources say Ujiri has also made it clear to Siakam that he's not being shopped.

The Raptors spent the 20-21 season playing their home games in Tampa, which made the season uniquely difficult. 

Nick Nurse and Siakam had some issues last season, which have long since been smoothed over.

Siakam underwent shoulder surgery in early June and is expected to be out at least until November. 

The Toronto Raptors are signing second round pick Dalano Banton to a two-year contract. Banton was drafted with the 46th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Banton averaged 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game as a sophomore at Nebraska in 2020-21. The 6'9'' wing has great size for a perimeter ballhandler.

Toronto drafting Banton was one of the fun stories from the 2021 draft. The Raptors had back-to-back picks at 46 and 47 in the second round and chose the Toronto native at 46. When asked about how they chose which order to draft Banton and David Johnson following the draft, Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster said, "Tie goes to the Canadian!"

The Toronto Raptors have signed free agent forward Isaac Bonga. 

Bonga, a native of Neuweid, Germany, has appeared in 128 games with the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards over the past three seasons. He holds career averages of 3.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 14.1 minutes. Bonga spent the 2020-21 campaign with Washington, averaging 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 40 games.

Bonga was originally selected 39th overall by Philadelphia in the 2018 NBA Draft following two seasons with Skyliners Frankfurt in Germany.

Goran Dragic told Slovenian media that he had "higher ambitions" than joining a Toronto Raptors' team in transition. The Raptors acquired Dragic as part of a sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry. Dragic will make $19.444 million for the 21-22 season.

Dragic has subsequently apologized for his remarks.

"My message basically, to all Toronto fans, is: I would like to apologize," said Dragic to Michael Grange. "It didn't come out the right way. I know they love their team, and they should be proud, it is one of the best organizations in the NBA. They've already won a championship and I didn't, so what I said, it really was not appropriate. 

"I've always been professional. You can ask a bunch of people. Everywhere I've played, wherever I'm going to play, I'm going to be a professional and do my job.

"I love basketball, I love to play and I'm going to give 100 percent wherever I play. Right now, I'm with Toronto and that's my main thing to think about."

Bobby Webster was asked about Dragic on Monday.

“I’d rather get it directly from him to just understand exactly what he meant by that (but) we feel like we’re going to be competitive,” said Webster, who added he didn’t view Dragic’s translated comments as controversial. “We have a core that has been around for a while and has won at the highest level as well, so I think let’s give it some time here to see how he would fit in and if he likes it here or not. He’s a pro and has been around a lot and he’s obviously entitled to want to make the most of his (remaining playing) years.”

The Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are "enamored" by trading for Pascal Siakam.

While a trade is possible, it is not likely, according to a source. Siakam has no desire to be traded by the Raptors this offseason.

Siakam is owed $33 million in 2021-22, $35.4 million in 22-23 and $37.9 million in 23-24.

The Raptors are at a crossroads following the departure of Kyle Lowry.

The Sacramento Kings have shown interest in both Pascal Siakam and Ben Simmons this offseason, multiple sources tell Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee.

Some are skeptical of Sacramento's chances of bulling off that magnitude of a deal, but Monte McNair wants to make a major move as he has a mandate to win.

Talks could accelerate this week.

The Toronto Raptors are receiving numerous calls from teams on Siakam with the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Kings "enamored" with him.

Siakam is entering the second year of a four-year, $136.9 million contract. He is owed $33 million in 2021-22, $35.4 million in 2022-23 and $37.9 million in 2023-24.