Sixers star Ben Simmons spoke today to head coach Doc Rivers, the team’s medical staffers, and his teammates, informing them he’s not mentally prepared to resume playing and needs more time, according to reports from Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter links) and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Simmons reported to Philadelphia’s shootaround on Friday and “was seen engaged around the team,” per Charania, who says the 25-year-old expressed that he wants to play once he’s mentally ready to do so. Sources tell Wojnarowski that the next steps for Simmons will be based on the determination of medical professionals.
Prior to skipping a scheduled individual workout on Thursday, Simmons complained of back stiffness and briefly received treatment, but team doctors reportedly cleared him to participate in workouts. So it sounds like Woj’s note about Simmons being evaluated by medical professionals is more about the three-time All-Star’s mental health than his physical health. The team has offered Simmons whatever resources are necessary to assist him, sources tell ESPN.
The 76ers suspended Simmons for their regular-season opener on Wednesday after he showed little engagement in practices earlier in the week and failed to sub into a defensive drill during Tuesday’s practice.
However, Charania’s latest report suggests Simmons put a little more effort into today’s shootaround, which means Philadelphia will probably just make him inactive for Friday’s home opener rather than suspending him again. As long as he remains engaged in practices and is working in good faith toward rejoining the club for games, that could be the plan for the immediate future.
Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey made it clear during a radio appearance on Thursday that he’s not rushing to find a trade for Simmons and won’t move the former No. 1 pick unless the team gets a “difference-maker” in return. Morey expressed a hope that Simmons would participate in practices and games for the 76ers, noting that getting him back on the court would be better for the club’s title chances than trading him for 25 cents on the dollar.
According to Wojnarowski, Simmons has accumulated nearly $2MM in fines so far for missing games, practices, and meetings. There is a provision in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that protects players’ salaries in the event they’re unable to render services “if such failure has been caused by the player’s mental disability,” Woj notes.
Don’t pay him while he’s in breach of contract. That works.
There is a provision in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that protects players’ salaries in the event they’re unable to render services “if such failure has been caused by the player’s mental disability,”
Correct. The cynical view of this might be to say that after not reporting, not performing, and claiming physical ailments failed to get him traded (and cost him a large sum of money) that Simmons is resorting to bowing out due to mental health as a last resort.
That might be a tad too cynical for even my tastes, but it’s at least a possibility.
I’d like to be wrong here, but I’m pretty cynical and think there’s a distinct possibility that it’s what he’s doing. His previous tactics have failed and now that he’s losing money, he and his agent could have gone this path. Several athletes recently have legitimately used this as a reason to bow out of things (Simon Biles, Naomi Osaka, Lane Johnson, there was a baseball player recently I’m forgetting) and have justifiably received sympathy/empathy (except for from the worst chuds in our society), so it’s a good play from a very cynical perspective.
I don’t think Simmons himself would concoct something like this, but his agent is Rich Paul, and I could see Paul doing this after seeing the money lost.
All the best to him, though.
Yeah, honestly . . . if I look at the whole situation (not reporting, then reporting when he was actually docked pay, not trying in practice, then being suspended and docked more pay …) my cynicism is tickled.
From Philly’s standpoint though this is a disaster either way, IMO.
If Simmons’ is lying he’s a POS and is a literal locker room cancer.
But if he’s sincere, then what GM is going to put his salary on the line building a team around him? One bad game 7 and he can’t emotionally manage to show up to camp, months later? Teams may or may not be sympathetic toward him as a character, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be lining up to pay his max contract.
Ask him if he is mentally ready to accept payment first.
Big Ben was mentally traded to another team. Big Ben found out yesterday that was never going to happen. Big Ben needs time to adjust his thinking. I get it.
He was in breach when he wasn’t there. Now that he reported he’s technically in compliance.
I still think the organization blew it. Now they’ll probably end up paying him and he probably isn’t going to want stay there long term.
Basically a lose-lose situation. By the way, the owners profit by 100s of millions just from team value increasing year to year. Just saying since fans consider the players to be greedy. Without artificial salary caps and rookie pay scales the best players would earn 5-10 times more than they do now.
Weasel 2 – So you’re saying that guys like Giannis could be making $400-$500 million a year? Your nuts dude
If he is legitimately dealing with mental issues which honestly would not surprise me, basketball should be the last thing he is worried about.
If he is just saying this to not get suspended/fined etc, he is a horrible human.
I don’t think it’s the latter. I think he legitimately has some mental health issues going on and I hope he gets the help he needs.
If genuine, I wonder how long he’s been feeling this way. What a piece of pooh would he be if he’s lying considering how much guys like Love and Derozen have come out to speak on mental health.
Agreed. I still have some respect for the guy but if it comes out he’s using this as a get out of jail free type card I’ll have no respect left for him and I would like to not hear his name again.
That being said, I don’t think he is lying. I think it’s pretty clear he has something wrong with his mental health.
Yeah, I agree I doubt it it’s the get of of jail free card. I mean imagine knowing that the second you play your first home game you are going to be booed everytime you touch the ball. And on the road you are going to be chanted and made fun of. I would have incredible anxiety too!
In fairness, from a Machiavellian POV, feigning mental illness would kind of be THE perfect get out of jail free card for a person callous enough to employ it. Legally and socially it’s an issue that Philly will basically have no choice but to respect, and to allow Simmons as much time as he wants away from the team.
Considering Simmons end-game this summer seemed to be A) not being in Philly and B) still getting paid), and considering that he showed up to the team almost as soon as B) became untenable, I do think there’s a kernel of skepticism that’s warranted here.
But far be it from me, buttholesurfer69, to suggest anyone is feigning mental illness for financial benefit.
He should have addressed his mental health issues before the fines started adding up my friend it would give his claim a bit more credibility. This childish act is getting old.
Perfectly said. If it turns out that he’s not dealing with mental or emotional issues, then he will have insulted everyone who has. Lots of people deal with serious issues like these every day – controlling all facets of a person’s life. Assuming (and truly hoping he’s not faking this), I hope he gets the help he needs.
“If it turns out he’s not dealing with mental issues” – the thing about that is that it’s awfully difficult to prove.
In fact, some would suggest that feigning mental illness is, in fact, a sign of mental illness itself.
I’m not sure what to think about it, , but well said!
Excellent.
i’ve never seen someone set to make their season debut with the majority against them through out their entire sport. anyone would be having mental health issues thinking about how the crowd and media reacts every time they’re introduced or touching the ball.
Considering his spectacular shrinking act in the playoffs and how he has become the laughingstock of the NBA since then, it certainly would make sense that his mental health is suffering.
Of course, when you pull the stunts he has it’s hard to trust that’s really what happened. But it’s at least a distinct possibility.
Mental disability does not exclude pulling stunts… indeed, over time, if problems do not resolve, one is liable to lead to the other.
Not knowing what to do with oneself if one does not initiate the offense is not a rare basketball mental disability. Part-lol and part a thing. Some are lost without the ball. Fans speak of a PG having shown off-ball skills… or if it is hard to picture (Harden). (Actually Harden is versatile and Simmons is the one with certain ways.)
First sentence is 100% on point, I think. Most likely answer here may be All Of The Above.
Thanks you for this extremely sensible comment.
Fair play to you.
Then he’s not mentally ready to get paid either. Is being a selfish baby diva in the DSM?
A lot of people (myself included) deal with mental issues and still aren’t selfish jerks and go to work. But the timing of this is suspicious anyways. I don’t believe he has debilitating emotional issues right now, until I hear proof anyways. To me, it’s his own ego and lack of heart that’s debilitating him from going to work. I can’t stand this dude. I used to defend him on this site saying things like who else can hold Trae Young to 4-21 in a playoff game. But now, I’ve lost all respect for him. As I’m sure did the fans in Philly, his teammates, and a lot of the GM’s that he wants to trade for him.
I’m a die hard born and raised Philly fan. I’ve not lost all respect for him and I know many that haven’t either. So you’re wrong.
You don’t speak for the city of Philly. Look at Kelce and what he said. That speaks for Philly more than you. If you don’t think the city has lost respect for Simmons, then I guess you’re saying he won’t get booed like no other when he gets on the court in Philly? I haven’t heard one professional analyst stick up for how he’s behaving now. I had his back when it was just about his play. I thought people were too harsh and in today’s nba everything is about shooting, when I watched Rodman have a legendary career and dominate playoff games never shooting the ball. Philly fans turned on this dude way before I did, is my point. Now you’re trying to say I’m wrong and the city still respects him? Yeah, okay. Can’t take you seriously then
Not at all. I know reading can be tough. But I said I haven’t lost all respect and know many that haven’t either. Nowhere did I say the entire city. Raise your hand and ask for help next time.
It wouldn’t be reading, it would be my comprehension of the reading you’re trying to make me feel inadequate about. Weird that you’d be so insulting to someone when you seem to have such compassion for mental illness.
I said I’m sure the city has lost all respect for him. You said i live in Philly and I know some people that haven’t lost all respect. That reasonably implies that you’re speaking for the city. For two key reasons. One being that you mentioned you live in Philly as if you legitimize your comment, two being that you were directly refuting that I said “ the city”. So if you’re not arguing with my point that the city has lost all respect but now you’re saying you didn’t imply the whole city, then what was your point? To point out that you know some people living in the city that haven’t? Okay but in general yes the city most certainly has. And if you don’t disagree with that then you didn’t disagree with what I said to begin with.
No, there are no “selfish baby diva” diagnosis in the DSM. But believe it or not, there are numerous anxiety and depression diagnosis (whoa, right!). If you really understood mental illness due to your experiences, or you work in that profession as I do, you would know that you don’t have to see anxiety or depression on the outside for someone to have it. In fact, most people don’t report it. To say “until I hear proof”, is not what anyone helping those with mental illness would say because if a person tells you they are suffering, then that is your proof… “until you hear proof” otherwise. Not the other way around.
I understand your loss in trust by Ben Simmons as a fan. But your argument that you are sure he is reporting mental illness out of ego and lack of heart is not how you would want someone else to react to your issues. Have some empathy and look at it from his perspective for a second, I mean half of the league is furious with him and his teammates and fans are frustrated with him. I’d be anxious and depressed too.
Well said.
That’s weak minded. Having anxiety and depression because you got booed? No.
Proof as in until doctors evaluate him and determine that he does have a debilitating mental illness. There’s no real proof that exists beyond that. Also, if you were evaluating him as a professional to try and detect if he’s making this up for financial gain or not … you’d have to have the same questions about its legitimacy as I do. Like when people claim insanity defense. Mental illness is a broad term. But mental illness isn’t an excuse to not be responsible for your own actions.
If he’s mentally ill then why is this only being brought up now? Maybe if he came out with this before all the stuff he pulled in Philly then his teammates and coaches and city would be behind him. It’s more than suspicious that it’s coming out now. And that still doesn’t excuse quitting on your team and not talking to anyone all off-season and being a jerk.
You sound like a know-it-all liberal but I really don’t think you know what you’re talking about at all. It’s people like you that created the environment where people can act like divas and get positive reinforcement from it. This isn’t the way for Simmons to get though this. Anyone who’s been in therapy or ever recovered knows you take responsibility first and foremost. Like Kelce said, just work on your game and get better, be accountable. I bet his agent pushed him into this mental illness narrative too smh. Maybe I’m wrong, and this is all legit. But don’t patronize me and talk to me like I don’t understand mental illness. If anything, understanding it helps me realize that this ain’t that!
It’s sounds like you don’t understand mental illness.
Sure let’s judge eachothers understanding of mental illness. Sounds like you don’t understand me, which I don’t understand lol
So you consider the other NBA players who have gotten paid while they deal with mental health issues “selfish baby divas?” Can’t have it both ways.
Certainly, the way Simmons has acted has been unprofessional and childish at times. But your comment goes beyond that.
Hield, Bagley, an unprotected first and two pick swaps.
It’s not the star they’re looking for but I’m not sure they’re getting much more.
Why does Sacramento need him?
OMG please Philly keep it up.
This is by far the best ending to the Process I could of ever come up with.
Its like watching General Hospital.
Every day that the Sixers do not trade Simmons is another day that Embiid’s prime is wasted.
No..Philly… you will not get Dame or Beal or an all star. You will just waste your best assets prime, which is what Philly is great at…wasting assets.
I thought the Sixers were poorly run with Colangelo or Brand, but this is just amazing. Morey is such a fool.
Just for the record, I think Simmons is overrated and probably needs to grow up a little, but the Sixers, OMG, they just do not understand how badly they dealt with this situation.
So Kudos, Philly, keep it up. Boston is a big fan.
I don’t think Simmons understands either. It’s a mess
True.
The Sixers are handling this beautifully. Doing the opposite of everything you suggest is why Big Ben is still a sixer, why the number one seed and top ranked starting 5 is still intact. Morey is paid 7 figures because he’s much brighter than you.
Next he will play the race card
Somebody mentioned a Russell Westbrook trade. Seems like it would work out for both teams. He may be able to help recruit for Bradley Beal next year, too.
Pretty sure the Sixers couldn’t afford Embiid, Harris, Westbrook, and Beal
Simmons would be worse than Westbrook because at least Westbrook will attempt to hit 3s and attack more often.
Lakers would be out bided by many teams on Simmons then Westbrook. Sixers could get younger more needed players than Westbrook. Westbrook is getting closer to the end of his career. Simmons is still young.
@arc
You watching what’s going on or nah? Teams aren’t exactly piling up offers on Moreys desk. There appears to be very little action on that front so what would’ve changed? Despite his flaws and lack of 3pt shooting I’d rather go to war with Westbrook, who will at least give you 30% accuracy vs nada, and whose willingness to fight and compete goes unchallenged. I think Simmons is a man without a country right now.
Westbrook is not a fit for Sixers. they need a shooter. Westbrook is a slasher. I can see the sixers getting a better package of players then just a Westbrook. There are 5 or 6 teams that can give a much better and younger offer for Simmons. Teams will make a offer its just Morey is stubborn and wants Lillard only. Laker lack youngster to include in a package for Simmons.
@arc
Morey isn’t sitting around waiting for Lillard and there hasn’t been a lot of offers we’ve heard of. By no means am I advocating for a Westbrook for Simmons trade more because I don’t think the Lakers would be interested. Why? Because Westbrook, DESPITE his proficiency to shoot 3s he’s STILL much better than Simmons in that area. There’s no comparison. 30% vs too scared to attempt. LBJ needs shooters and Simmons is a step backwards. Now Philly would likely take Westbrook for the same reasons. But like I said, it’s not happening at all.
Sixers if they wanted to take a all star they would take Wall or Beal before Westbrook. Both those team could offer a little extra for Simmons that the Lakers can’t.
Shooting 30% is worse when a teammate can do better.
Trading is a ways away… but new opportunities will arise.
I actually agree with this.
I think I’d rather take a pick heavy return and then try and flip those picks and my own for the uber-theoretical Dame or Beal trade as opposed to going all in on a 33 year old Russell Westbrook (who’s probably the second worst shooter in the league after Simmons) being the answer to my problems.
Rockets are the team that should go out and offer a package for Simmons. Wall and some draft picks plus Potter jr would get the deal done. Rockets then rebuild around Wood and Simmons.
@arc89
With two young, cheap and talened guards in Green and Porter Jr why would the Rockets make that trade for Simmons. Further, no franchise is going to build their team on the backs of two non shooters. Oooohhh….how exciting. Fans showing up to watch a bunch of rebounding and no offense from more than 3ft away. Simmons isn’t best suited with a close to the basket center.
Why would the Rockets want Simmons that much?
I still side with Ben.
Give him a lobotomy. Problem solved.
As good as he is, I truly don’t see why any team would trade assets to get him. That sounds crazy as I just acknowledged that he IS talented. However, his lack of shooting range, his inability to hit free throws, the liability shown in important close 4th quarter games and now, his glaring lack of accountability, character and inability/unwillingness to improve are huge, huge issues. Unless you’re a team that has zero aspirations to contend and you just want a name on your roster (a name that has a negative reputation now), then why bring him in if you have to worry about the same things that transpired in game 7 vs Atlanta? And when it comes to his lack of shooting range it goes beyond his lack of 3pt shooting. Historically, 54% of his shots are within 3ft of the basket and another 30 from 3ft-10ft. For a point guard/ small forward to need to be so close to the basket to be effective horrible.
I 100% agree. I think the Simmons contract is going from fire sale territory to negative value territory fairly quickly here.
You can be cynical and say this is a ploy. OK. Still a talented dude but can you trust him? At all?
You can say the guy has serious emotional issues. While that looks better for Simmons as a person it arguably looks worse for him as a player.
We can all be sympathetic for him as a person, but NBA greats are valued in large part in their ability to bounce back from adversity, from their mental toughness as much as physical toughness. A mental injury, in theory, hurts a guys stock just as much as a physical one .
If Simmons has a torn ACL of the cranium it’s going to kill his value even if we all feel bad for him personally.
“Historically, 54% of his shots are within 3ft of the basket and another 30 from 3ft-10ft.”
He’s gotten worse at this, too. His rookie year, around 76% of his shots were within 10′, the last two years, he was over 90%. Think about that for a PG. Less than one out of every ten shots is from beyond 10′ of the basket. Most current Centers don’t even have that ratio.
It’s called a good shot… he can get them… others can shoot deep.
Well…Minnesota is no longer interested. LOL
Is this part of the process?
Good for Morey and the SIXERS organization for taking this hardline stance against Klutch and Simmons.
interesting you put Klutch before Simmons. The tail doesn’t wag the dog. Not accusing you but it makes me wonder why sooooo much venom is being spewed at Klutch yet most ppl wouldn’t be able to tell you who Harden’s agent was when he departed Houston without a Google search. As an agent in entertainment I can PROMISE you the last thing Klutch wanted to do was expend this much energy, time and public credibility on a negotiated contract with 4 years remaining on it. Agents, reluctantly sometimes, have to do what the client dictates whether they like it or not. Klutch is not small time. They are in partnership with CAA, which trust me, have a full department of lawyers. This is a headache that nobody at Klutch wants. An agent only wants to hear from a client or deal with them when a contract is near being up. Not 4 years locked in. There’s college recruits you want to secure, busines you want to grow. I haven’t spoken to Rich but I can just imagine how this has been a nightmare to deal with as he’s caught in between a highly publicized client and a organization that has other current and likely future clients he represents. You know how hard it is to try and play hardball against a guy like Morey and then try to have civil discussion about Tyrese Maxey with hopes he’s not holding a grudge? I’ve had to cancel appearances of acts last minute with buyers I had future deals set up with or had previous relations with. You have to handle the dirty work and hope there’s no residual bad feelings. I guarantee you, Paul would’ve preferred Simmons just said the right things and showed up to camp ready to prove ppl wrong. He can’t publicly tell the world what he MIGHT really think about the situation. Doesn’t mean he was happy with what Rivers or Embiid said but Simmons sensitivity was the issue.
Did Klutch advise the extension or not? Of course it’s a headache now.
LOL if I tell my employer I’m not mentally ready well I probably wouldn’t have a job at all collecting a modest disability. What a joke some of these athletes have become. It’s sad actually and a vulgar mockery to his teammates, ownership, the league and mostly the poor fans that pays tickets to attend/view games when/where their favorite team is playing… Kids are watching, c’mon. I don’t think they care.
Simmons Sux!!!
When this dude finally plays whether it be for the Sixers or not, he will never be able to play anywhere near the Wells Fargo Center. They will have to stop selling batteries as he may have more hate shot at him than JD Drew.
Might take a page from the Quebec fans when Lindros played his first game there after he spurned them.
They threw pacifiers and baby bottles on the ice. Fans showed up in diapers. Pretty insane
Crapping on a person potentially dealing with mental health issues isn’t a great look, although it would be on-brand for Philly fans. Of course, that’s if this isn’t just a farce, in which case he does deserve it.
Just have to see how this plays out.
I’ll wait until he or his reps make this claim, and not assume they’d really stoop this low (even though I wouldn’t have believed in advance that he and they would negotiate a return to the team only for him to refuse to participate).
If he’s reading the CBA and trying to think, he should stop. It’s a road he shouldn’t travel. For this to come within those provisions, all the doctors concerned (his, the league’s, the Sixers’, and the insurance company’s) would have to not only agree he has a mental illness, but also that it’s serious enough to render him “unable” to play basketball. Not just unwilling or preferring not to. That level of mental illness would be impacting all areas of his life, not just basketball. It wouldn’t improve upon a trade.
Bet he’s mentally ready to cash those checks tho…
LOL Agreed. I’m sure he is more than mentally ready to cash those checks…
Then he should regularly see a psychologist or psychiatrist of the Sixers’ choice. That is, if he expects to get paid..
Trade him to the most inept, hopeless, hapless team in the NBA – the Minnesota Timberpuppies.
That would serve Simmons right.
If his head ain’t screwed on straight now,
He’ll lose his marbles with the Timberpuppies !!
Sacramento Kings say Hello. If this were 5-15 years ago, you know my Knicks would have traded three 1sts for him.
He could very well have issues. That would explain the yips.
So he won’t trade him for 25 cents on the dollar. Is he hoping to get 30¢ for Ben?
My guess is this IS partly a farce, but Simmons doesn’t plan on not playing due to mental health issues indefinitely. Rather, it could be an attempt to return to play in a way that would make fans sympathetic to him and explain away his initial unreliability and lack of effort. It would be a lot smoother of a transition than coming out and saying “Today, I decided to stop pouting, work hard and come back to play because I want to get paid.”
And I say partly because to fold so spectacularly in the playoffs could very well be a sign of mental health issues, whether Simmons realizes or acknowledges it. He is the laughingstock of the NBA and he knows it. And though his recent actions make it hard to feel bad for him, I do feel bad for him in the sense that he had become vilified just because of what transpired in the playoffs. Criticism of his play was certainly warranted given his contract, but not treating him like human garbage. It’s just sports. Being a professional athlete ain’t always fun and games.
Please trade this clown already!! Not mentally prepared!?!?! You make 33 Million a year to play basketball… I’d be mentally ready 24/7/365. I agree with Ben, Philly is a tough town and he is just too soft of a men to last in a town like Philly.
Just take Sakiam 1 for 1 and get this over with!
#FreeBenSimmons
As long as Doc is the coach, nothin else matters… no championship coming with him.
There is a deal to be made that could help both teams, but it appears the 76ers are not willing to trade one problem for another one. Some financial gymnastics might be required to complete a trade of Ben for Kyrie since there’s over $1M in cap numbers between the two and the Sixers have no trade exceptions. The Nets have a few but I’m not exactly sure how that would work. It’s highly unlikely this deal would happen even if it could benefit both teams on the court.
kid gloves. this situation isnt resolving itself. even if he’s bsing it’s better to let him have his way here. youre not going to make things better by ticking him off more.
YAWN …….. bunch of tools.
We’re not trading him until we get what we want. Really ???? How stupid is this. Sixers are a contender with a happy Ben. Sixers should be a contender or BETTER with the right trade. This idiot is not getting Dame or his basketball scratcher Harden. So find future all stars like Halliburton. That fit your team perfectly. The longer this goes on. The worse Sixers become. Who cares about Ben. Fix your freaking team Moreyon …..
If John Wall becomes available via buyout… Sixers really need to push heavy. He isn’t what he used to be but he’s still a starting PG and not afraid of the moment. Getting him for nothing would be incredible for the team.
I don’t live in Philadelphia or follow the 76ers closely. In the off season, does Simmons work on on his shot? Over the years, many players have hired private shooting coaches. When Kawhi Leonard first came into the NBA, don’t think that Leonard was the shooter that he is now. Know that Leonard worked with a shooting coach. Some players for some reason just cannot shoot a basketball but are excellent at everything else.
Morey has probably never made an offer. He’s just relying on the contract. If Simmons gets out of it with a depression plea… Ha.
And Simmons impresses me as liable with his odd personality and presence.
A certain % of a population will be prognosable… who better than tall gloomy Ben, all sudden, explosive, and mystified?
Prognosable is not a word but whatever.