Update 07/26/2021 12:51pm:
Ben Simmons has been the talk of the 76ers as well as the NBA after his performance offensively during the playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks. Many felt the star player didn’t deliver in the way he should have. Since then, there have been trade talks surround Simmons, and now it has been revealed that Simmons allegedly ghosted the Sixers.
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report revealed the info via an appearance on the Gastroenteritis Blues and spoke about the current trade situation by Bradley Beal on the Washington Wizards and how that trade situation could appeal to the Wizards.
Fischer said, “I’m not gonna write this in the story, but I’ll tell this to you guys, and you guys can do what you want with it. They haven’t been able to really even get in touch with Ben since the season ended. Like, there was an intent to have a workout plan or whatever — like in any offseason. That’s always kind of been the case that the Sixers haven’t been able to align with a development plan [for Ben] — that’s kind of what Yaron Weitzman wrote at Fox Sports in that big story. It just doesn’t sound like there’s ever been movement to come together on the same page to do that, and it hasn’t really worked this summer either. I think that’s not something that’s an encouraging sign for him being in Philadelphia in the future.”
The 76ers have responded to the rumors, claiming the reports are unfounded, with sources from the team speaking to PhillyVoice to deny the claims. Stay tuned for more updates.
source: SB Nation
Original 07/13/2021 9:45pm:
The talk around Ben Simmons following this year's playoffs hasn't been the most pleasant and reassuring.
While Simmons struggled on the offensive end throughout the playoffs, culminating in a meltdown against the Atlanta Hawks, 76ers coach Doc Rivers noted that he was unsure if he could win a championship with Simmons running point. Moreover, superstar center Joel Embiid pointed to Simmons passing up a wide-open layup as the turning point in a pivotal game, which cost Philly the series.
All that made it quite apparent that Philadelphia should and likely would try to move Simmons and press reset on "The Process" as an Embiid x Simmons project. Now, the Sixers are finally open to moving Ben Simmons, and they are looking for an "All-Star caliber" player in return.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Philadelphia is "engaged with several teams," but those interested franchises have not been disclosed.
Source: bleacherreport.com
