Ben Simmons Won't Report To Camp, Intends To Never Play For 76ers Again

[RealGM Wiretap]

Ben Simmons will not report to the Philadelphia 76ers when training camp opens next week and intends to never play another game for the franchise.

Simmons hasn't spoken to the team since a meeting in late August when he communicated this message to officials.

Simmons is aware of possible sanctions available to the 76ers to suspend and fine him, but he is so far willing to carry out his plan.

The 76ers continue to seek a trade of Simmons, but have been unwilling to budge from their asking price. 

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

[Billl]

Hope he uses that extra time to work on his free throws.

Seriously though, what are the sixers thinking? Bash the guy publicly and then just let this thing drag out all summer? it's not like the offers are going to get better when he starts skipping camp.

[Parataxis]

I know if the 76ers just choose to sit him, he still gets paid. What about if he refuses to report?

In that case, do they save the $$$? I'm assuming it will still count against their cap regardless?

[basketballwacko2]

Ben's value is dropping daily, this is like the PG wanting out of Indiana thing only worse.

[Pickled Prunes]

At some point the 76ers will need to face reality. Simmons is not worth anywhere near what they are asking. It's all fine and good if they are able and willing to withhold his checks, but that doesn't fill the hole in their roster. They should not be looking for a star or picks. They won't get a star, they won't get enough picks to bring back a star in a secondary trade and the picks won't help them on the court.

It's simple economics. Simmons is owed $33M this season and most non-PHI fans would agree that he isn't worth a penny more. So PHI's goal should be to trade Simmons for $33M in contracts that fit the roster and are cumulatively worth at least $33M. It might be two or three players; maybe one is overpaid on a bad contract but one or two more are on value contracts. The idea is to look at the cumulative package.

So, will PHI be able to bring back $33M in assets that can help them on the court today? Maybe not, but getting anywhere close and having the new pieces on the court for training camp would be a win. Holding out for a star that they have no hope of getting is a no win proposition. Even if Beal or Lillard asked for a trade today, is there any chance that a deal centered around Simmons gets it done? The short answer is no.

[rzzzzz]

Pampered head case.

[MrDollarBills]

I don't get why the Sixers don't offer Simmons to Houston for Wall and a pick.

[Jabroni Lames]

Daryl Morey... genius GM. Only took him less than a year to create a dumpster fire in Philly. Meanwhile, Houston Rockets have an exciting young team that's going to be fun to watch grow. Morey and Sam Presti have to be the 2 most overrated GMs the league has ever had.

[DeBouillon]

I don't get why the Sixers don't offer Simmons to Houston for Wall and a pick.

That may end up being the outcome. Regardless I think I speak for everyone that I hope this drama ends soon.

[Pickled Prunes]

I don't get why the Sixers don't offer Simmons to Houston for Wall and a pick.

That may end up being the outcome. Regardless I think I speak for everyone that I hope this drama ends soon.

Wall makes $11M more than Simmons this season. I am not a Simmons believer, but he is far better than Wall at this point. That trade makes no sense for PHI. Besides, HOU already didn't want Simmons.

[GregOden]

Daryl Morey... genius GM. Only took him less than a year to create a dumpster fire in Philly. Meanwhile, Houston Rockets have an exciting young team that's going to be fun to watch grow. Morey and Sam Presti have to be the 2 most overrated GMs the league has ever had.

His claim to fame was trading for James Harden, although amusingly enough the Nets got Harden for less than what Morey got him for. Does that make Sean Marks the GOAT GM?

[meekrab]

I don't get why the Sixers don't offer Simmons to Houston for Wall and a pick.

That may end up being the outcome. Regardless I think I speak for everyone that I hope this drama ends soon.

Wall makes $11M more than Simmons this season. I am not a Simmons believer, but he is far better than Wall at this point. That trade makes no sense for PHI. Besides, HOU already didn't want Simmons.

Houston not liking a Simmons + whatever package for James Harden doesn't mean they don't want Simmons at all. For Wall and a pick they'd surely do it yesterday.

[MitchB3]

Daryl Morey... genius GM. Only took him less than a year to create a dumpster fire in Philly. Meanwhile, Houston Rockets have an exciting young team that's going to be fun to watch grow. Morey and Sam Presti have to be the 2 most overrated GMs the league has ever had.

I couldn't agree more.

[MitchB3]

I don't get why the Sixers don't offer Simmons to Houston for Wall and a pick.

Well for starters they drafted Jalen Green, they also have Kevin Porter Jr, adding Ben Simmons would make ZERO sense.

[ALPHAandOMEGA]

Simmons overplaying his hand here. He isn't good enough to act like a diva. Hope he ends up in china.

[Ballerhogger]

Saw this coming a mile away but no…. People would t listen

[mastermixer]

I know if the 76ers just choose to sit him, he still gets paid. What about if he refuses to report?

In that case, do they save the $$$? I'm assuming it will still count against their cap regardless?

They could suspend him and not pay him for not suiting up. But that never happens because this is a player's league now. So if you do that to Ben, you kill your rep and future agents and players wont want to work with you. So the teams cater to the players now, even if the team is well within its rights not to.

[objectivefan]

Hope he uses that extra time to work on his free throws.



Seriously though, what are the sixers thinking? Bash the guy publicly and then just let this thing drag out all summer? it's not like the offers are going to get better when he starts skipping camp.

your boss tells you that you suck and that we are better off without you.

How the heck do you show up the next day and do your job as if nothing happened? even if you show up, do you really go the extra mile for the company?

provided that you are "skilled labor" and can find a job anywhere, most people would leave.

I know that Ben has a contract but how do the sixers expect him to show up and give his all?


Doc: OK Ben, let's hustle back on defense, we are in this together and need to cover for each other.
Ben: umm.. yeah.

[Lateral Quicks]

In related news, Darryl Morey has upped his asking price for Ben Simmons to 2 perennial all-stars, 5 1st round picks, and 1 billion dollars cash.

[castor777]

Collin Sexton, Kevin Love for Simmons? I’m sure Philly would want some picks but Cleveland can probably play the waiting game. I really don’t see a whole lot of options out there.