Agent Rich Paul: 76ers are making Ben Simmons' mental health struggles worse

The ongoing contentious saga between point guard Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers took a turn in October when Simmons told the team that he wasn't "mentally ready" to make his return to the court. Now Simmons' agent, Rich Paul, says the team's tactics are only worsening the problem instead of helping.

"I truly believe the fines, the targeting, the negative publicity shined on the issue — that’s very unnecessary and has furthered the mental health issues for Ben," Paul said, via Shams Charania of The Athletic. "Either you help Ben, or come out and say he’s lying. Which one is it?"

Earlier this week, Simmons reportedly met with a "team-recommended medical specialist" to discuss his mental health. Paul told Charania that the 76ers' mental health professional has been given permission by Simmons to speak with his personal therapist and come up with a collaborative plan for his return.

Those developments suggested the situation was headed in a positive direction, but Charania reports Simmons was given a schedule for Thursday that included the team’s game against the Toronto Raptors. Simmons understood that to mean the 76ers intended to withhold his game check and saw it as another attempt by Philadelphia to force him back into action before he's ready.

A 76ers official told The Athletic the team is "absolutely not" forcing Simmons to return.

The good news for Philadelphia is that Paul finally indicated that Simmons may be amenable to a reunion with the 76ers rather than a trade.

"This is about finding a place where we can help Ben get back to his mental strength and get back on the floor," Paul said. "I want him on the floor playing the game that he loves. I want Ben on the floor whether that’s in a 76ers uniform or any other uniform, that’s not up to me, but I want him in a state where he can resume play. We want to cooperate and want to work him back on the floor."

Simmons, 25, was the first overall selection of the 2016 NBA Draft, but didn't make his debut until 2017 due to foot injuries. He won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018 and earned All-Star appearances in the next three seasons. After struggling in the 2021 postseason, Simmons requested a trade in August.