As expected, Ben Simmons wasn’t present at the Sixers‘ Media Day on Monday, and his absence was the subject of plenty of discussion during the press conferences with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, head coach Doc Rivers, and star center Joel Embiid, among others.
As Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com tweets, Morey confirmed that Simmons and his camp asked the team for a trade as far back as the draft combine in Chicago this spring. However, Philadelphia’s head of basketball operations insisted that the club didn’t want to make a trade then or now, suggesting that there’s still “a lot of hope” for reconciliation (Twitter link via Chris Mannix of SI.com).
Morey pointed to this year’s standoff between the NFL’s Green Bay Pacers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers – who is still with the team – as an example of how a relationship that seemed destined for an end can still be mended (Twitter link via Michael Lee of The Washington Post). According to Morey, he hasn’t talked to Simmons himself in about six or seven weeks, but remains in frequent communication with the 25-year-old’s representatives (Twitter link via Neubeck).
Asked about next steps if Simmons remains away from the team, Morey hinted that fines will be coming, telling reporters that it’s “very clearly spelled out” in both Simmons’ contract and the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement what will happen (Twitter link via Neubeck). For what it’s worth, sources have told Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer that Simmons isn’t concerned about the potential fines and that money is playing “no role” in his decision-making.
Here’s more out of Philadelphia:
- Asked today about Simmons, Embiid replied, “Of course we want him back, he’s a big piece of what we’ve been building the past few years” (Twitter link via Neuebeck). The star center added that he’s “disappointed” with how the situation has played out. “I really hope he changes his mind,” Embiid said. “… I do love playing with him because he adds so much to our team. We’ve been building this team around us. I don’t see it as ‘This is my team’. I don’t care about any of that” (Twitter link via Derek Bodner of The Athletic).
- Embiid said today that dealing with trade rumors is something all players have to learn to deal with (Twitter link via Tim Bontemps of ESPN). “If the Warriors called and offered Steph (Curry) and Klay (Thompson) for me, do you think the Sixers would say no to that?” Embiid asked. “… I wouldn’t say no to that.”
- Embiid confirmed that he and some teammates tried to travel to California to meet with Simmons. As The Athletic reported over the weekend, Simmons turned down that meeting. “I guess we got to let him be himself,” Embiid said (Twitter link via Neubeck).
- As Darryn Albert of Larry Brown Sports relays, Danny Green – in the most recent episode of his podcast – also discussed that attempted sit-down with Simmons. “This has nothing to do with the organization,” Green said. “This has to do with us. We just want to meet with him on a personal level, on a human being, friend level. If he still considers us friends, we don’t know if that’s the case yet or not.”
- Rivers declined to state his plans for the point guard position if Simmons doesn’t return, but strongly implied that Tyrese Maxey would be in line for the role, tweets Bontemps.
Coach & best player threw him under the bus, front office tells him they’re going to trade him. Nobody is willing to give you the right assets/players in return, all of a sudden you want him back. I’m sorry I’m with Ben Simmons 100% on this one.
For them to do it publicly was totally out of line. Consequently, fans are all over him and Simmons has suffered major marketability and reputation. Simmons financial stock has plummeted, yet Sixers only care about what they can get in return for him. No concerm whatsoever for Simmons. He deserves fresh start amd Rivers need to get canned.
@Michol
How has Simmons financial stock plummeted? His money is guaranteed. No words by Embiid nor Rivers needed to be said for the entire world to understand why and how Simmons is severely flawed. All comments were made AFTER his warts were on full display. I don’t blame Morey for not rushing to make a deal. His team is trying to win and if he’s forced to either take back a bad contract (Love or Wall) or fragmented pieces to match salary and picks then how does that help? The Harden offer was over a year ago before Rivers had a chance to see what he had AND before Simmons regressed even further to the point where he shied away from actually attempting shots in the 4th quarter in the playoffs. It was that fear of being sent to the foul line during an easy dunk Embiid was referencing. And so what the Sixers were listening to offers on Ben. That’s a GMs job. To seek all options to improve. I mean, when a Harden hits the trade market Im sure meant other teams started to discuss players they weren’t previously motivated to trade. Even Embiid joked how he himself would understand if the GSW offered Curry and Klay for him (ignore the obvious ridiculousness of the idea). Anyone…. ANYONE can be discussed.
Endorsements???!! It’s a big deal nowadays not to mention his future contracts. It will be that much more difficult to mend his reputation for DPOY and All Star selections.
@Michol
……No one needed to make a single comment about Simmons. The playoffs were marginally televised. They have these people called “analysts” and “commentators” who discussed the game. The meme creators were already hard at work before Rivers or Embiid even took the podium to answer questions. Every casual nba fan new what his issues were. If Ben loses endorsements it’s more because of HIS actions moreso that what anyone said.
As for awards, he’ll still get whatevers coming to him.
@Knicksfancavsfan- yes, anyone can be discussed but it doesn’t mean the team is free from the ramifications of those discussions. These are human beings, and trades are major upheavals of their lives. Simmons has multiple reasons to be upset and I honestly don’t blame him.
Ben is being vilified here by some because he has one hole in his game and the organization that is supposed to be committed to him threw up their hands and were basically like maybe this won’t work. You’re either in or you’re out. If you’re in then build and scheme the team in a way he’s not forced into doing the one thing he can’t. If you’re out then trade the man and let everyone move on.
@Appachian
There’s a difference between being actively shopped because they want to get rid of you vs a situation where a rare super talent like Harden hits the trade market and you either initiate the “kick the tires” call or recieve the call from the other team and in discussion, Simmons name is mentioned likely because he’s a PG and salary matching purposes. Babe Ruth was traded. ANYONE can be traded. It’s part of the game and EVERY athlete should understand that and not take it personal or let it effect you. He’s being a baby. Kyrie, mt favorite player to watch, was being a baby. The fact that he WASN’T traded for Harden if the Sixers said no should show how much they value him. Morey didn’t pull the trigger and never made a negative comment about him. If anything, failure to make Simmons understand thst might be the one thing thst hypothetically I might critique Rich Paul for not doing. It’s nothing personal.
How do you know it wasn’t done privately first and he ignored it?
Bro as a Sixers fan we knew he was a problem before anyone else answered any questions. We just held on to hope cause that’s what you do being a Philly fan. I like Ben ALOT and I know if he had a any kind of shot I would be all in on him. That being said he’s playing it soft and playing the victim. He’s a max contract Bruce Bowen (who was great at what he did) I’m honestly pissed Morey didn’t take the rumored Brogdon deal at this point
@Real1
In the heat of the moment they were asked a question. Embiid mention the moment the momentum was lost. Rivers simply said “I don’t know” regarding his question. That’s not throwing anyone under a bus. Simmons is either weak or super sensitive. Most athletes would use that to fuel their fire to get better and prove them wrong. Ben…Ben is seeking his “safe space”.
-NBA needs to change the rules regarding salary matching for trades in cases like this where the players agent has defended a trade on behalf of their client. Make it so the team can get the best package they can get without having to take back matching salary which is seldom of equal or desirable talent levels.
-In cases where a player secures their max contract bag and then wants to leave before they’re even halfway thru the deal, make them lose that last guaranteed year afforded to them by the home teran rule. So if the original team offered a 5 year max when no other team could offer more than 4 make a rule that if a trade request was made prior to year 3 or 4 then that player loses that extra year if they demand a trade.
Everyone is acting so innocent it’s crazy. Simmons is following a template for forcing out. It is not that hard to understand.
I might suppose also that Simmons is depressive, but that’s speculation. Not everyone would intentionally flounder in the playoffs just because of unhappiness, but it has happened.
Ok, you follow his lead and refuse to show up to work at your job. See how long you have one after that.
If someone’s job did not want them anymore, they would just be fired. Bad comparison.
He threw his teammates under the bus last year. He assumes no responsibility for his poor play. He refuses to work on his game. What kind of a teammate is he? And there are 147 million reasons for him to show up to his job.
How again did Embiid throw him under the bus? What other teammate came out and threw him under the bus?
I
Unfortunately for the Sixers, Ben Simmons isn’t on the same level as Aaron Rodgers.
Something must have happened that was really really bad this past year. I’m beginning to think Simmons’ dislike for the Sixers front office and/or coaching staff is real, intense, and personal, probably at least partially justified, and has nothing to do with his jump shot or refusal to take a dunk. There is zero chance of a reconciliation, that’s clear. That’s just a smokescreen to try and up the trade return.
I wouldnt want to play with Embid. He’s a great player, but he need to learn to stay healthy and how to win. He’s always getting hurt at the end of the year, and disappears during the critical juncture of the postseason games. Yes, his stats improved drastically this postseason, but not in the clutch and the Sixers too often blew major leads. It wasnt all Simmoms fault. Finally, Rivers is a loser coach.
Person that is responsible for all this is doc Rivers. He let Simmons take the blame for the playoff loss when it was his poor coaching that did them in. Doc did the same in LA when he let certain players do what they want but others he was strict with. Doc could make it better by taking the blame for the playoff loss and praise Simmons. Instead Doc rather stay silent.
Playing the blame game won’t help the Sixers mend things with Ben at all.
Sure Doc is to blame, he’s the coach. But there are also plenty of reasons to blame Simmons as well, plus the team has also handled the situation poorly.
Doc silence on the whole situation is amazing.
Soft childish move from Simmons. Hope he will be traded to a cold market
You mean like Philadelphia?
Perfect place ;)
#FreeBenSimmons
Just hope Ben manages to get out of the brotherly hateful city asap… & for the fun of it I hope PHI gets the worst possible package for him & they really struggle to make it to the playoffs… now that would be smashing, right?
Tweet:
@KyleNeubeck
Morey on Simmons and his camp’s stance: “They came us and asked for a trade at the combine in Chicago…we were not looking for a trade.”
It is news that Simmons asked for a trade then— supposedly he had not until more recently, per media reports— but I think the desire to be traded was before that. Maybe Morey refers to certain official actions. Or, is lying.
Both sides have handled it poorly. That being said the only way out is either trade him now and get pennies on the dollar or stretch it out till the deadline and pray someone one overpays.
You can’t sit your starting point guard at crunch time because he can’t hit his free throws at the charity stripe. You can’t have a player in your lineup who is afraid of the big moment. Unfortunately for the Sixers that player is Big Ben. So Ben boycotts the Sixers? Let him sit and pay.
Can we get a summary of Aaron Rodgers Green Bay situation for us non football fans? That whole comparison is lost on me.
Also if Simmons really didn’t care about money he would have given the money back via buyout already.