Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reacts after the basket during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards during Game Four in the first round. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

76ers discussing Ben Simmons' future with club?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Jun 24, 2021 1:50 PM ET

As betting odds continue to suggest Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Ben Simmons will be with a different team by the start of the 2021-22 NBA season, it appears the franchise is at least willing to imagine an existence without him.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and general manager Elton Brand have tipped off discussions with Simmons' agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, about what comes next after the 24-year-old produced some disastrous offensive performances during the postseason.

Simmons shot 34.2% from the free-throw line in the playoffs and infamously passed on an open dunk in Game 7 of the second-round series versus the Atlanta Hawks.

Nevertheless, ESPN reports Simmons' value on the trade market is high.

Sixers coach Doc Rivers told reporters Monday he's still "very bullish" on Simmons and that the club has a plan to help the guard improve his shooting. Meanwhile, Morey said Tuesday the 76ers have "got a good foundation" but would not commit to Simmons remaining with the organization past this summer.

"None of us can predict the future of what's going to happen in any, in any place," he said at that time.

Simmons has four years and $147 million left on his current deal.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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