The relationship between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers seems to get worse and worse with each passing day.
Between Philly publicly slandering Simmons and his ongoing war of words with Joel Embiid, it feels like it’s constantly one thing after another.
This week, things intensified even further as additional details regarding Simmons’ frayed relationship with head coach Doc Rivers came to light.
The update wasn’t unexpected, per se – but it certainly adds to the sense of urgency in getting a trade of some sort for Simmons put together.
According to Kyle Neubeck of the Philly Voice, the relationship between Simmons and Rivers is in a bad place right now. A really bad place.
“The relationship between Simmons and Doc Rivers, it’s worth noting, suffered significant damage that some believe is irreparable,” he wrote. “Though the Sixers would tell you when pressed on this they believe things can be worked out and fences can be mended.”
Earlier this week, Kendrick Perkins appeared on ESPN and revealed that Simmons was going to extreme lengths to get off the Sixers.
“Simmons is not answering the phone calls,” he said. “He don’t want to be with the 76ers, and from what I heard, he’s willing not to report to training camp, and will go as long as it takes for him to get out of Philly.”
According to Zach Lowe of ESPN, there are three serious suitors for Simmons at this point – but a potential trade for Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers is what Sixers brass is really pining over.
“Several teams — including the Warriors, Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves — have discussed Simmons with varying degrees of interest, sources said, but one reason talks haven’t gone far is that the Sixers likely view Simmons as their path to Lillard,” he wrote.
This obviously isn’t the first time Philly has expressed interest in trading Simmons for Lillard. Nevertheless, based on what the Sixers are demanding in return for their 25-year-old star, it’s hard to see something coming together.
One way or another, it feels like a trade at some point is inevitable. When will it actually happen, though? Time will tell.
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