The Ben Simmons saga hasn't ended, and every day we learn more details about the broken relationship between the talented point guard and the Philadelphia 76ers.
After a tumultuous 2020/21 NBA season, the Australian received a lot of criticism for his shooting woes during the 2021 playoff, especially in the second round against the surprising Atlanta Hawks.
Following that infamous Game 7 in Philly, Simmons received a lot of criticism, especially from the people supposed to protect him. That definitely changed things between the player and the team. Now, he doesn't want to stay with the Sixers, won't attend training camp, and is keen to be traded as soon as possible.
The Sixers have tried everything to change his mind, but the player is set to finish his relationship with them. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, 76ers players wanted to go to Los Angeles to meet Ben and convince him to run it back.
Well, the player refused to meet them and asked them not to go to Los Angeles.
Philadelphia 76ers players wanted to travel to Los Angeles this week to meet with Ben Simmons and spend time convincing their All-Star teammate to commit to the 2021-22 season with them, but they were informed not to come and that Simmons did not want to meet, sources tell The Athletic.
The core leaders on the 76ers — such as Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle — and most of the team were set to take a jet to see Simmons before being turned away, sources said. Multiple sources said Simmons didn’t want his teammates, some of whom he considers friends, to make the Philadelphia-to-Los Angeles commute out of courtesy because he won’t change his mind on wanting a trade.
The 76ers’ training camp begins this upcoming week, with Media Day on Monday.
Simmons has mentally checked out as a member of the 76ers, sources said, meaning whether or not he ever appears in Philadelphia this season the organization may never again receive the same dedicated player.
This situation has gotten worse every month. There's no sign that Simmons would change his mind, even if he gets fined for missing training camp. The player is set to end his tenure with the Sixers, and not even Joel Embiid or Doc Rivers praising him will change that.
Ben's shooting struggles are considered a major issue for some teams around the league, but others still believe he can succeed. In recent times, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets and even Golden State Warriors have been linked with a move for Simmons.
More must-reads: