Although the Sixers had become increasingly optimistic about the possibility of Ben Simmons reporting to Philadelphia, they’d expected it to happen sometime later this week, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who says the club was surprised to see Simmons return to the arena on Monday to take his mandatory COVID-19 test.
“All of the sudden, near the opening tip tonight of that Brooklyn/Philly preseason game, I’m told that (general manager) Elton Brand gets a text message essentially saying, ‘Hey, Ben’s outside the building, he needs to get in and come take his COVID test,'” Wojnarowski said during an appearance on Sportscenter on Monday night (video link). “And that’s how the Sixers found out that Ben Simmons – after two weeks away in the preseason – had returned to Philadelphia.”
Simmons’ holdout may be over, but it remains to be seen what exactly comes next for him and the team, according to Wojnarowski, who says it’s unclear whether the three-time All-Star plans to “merely report to team or truly rejoin the team.”
A league source recently told Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer that Simmons still doesn’t intend to play in a game for the 76ers, but head coach Doc Rivers remains optimistic about getting the 25-year-old back on the court.
“We’ve said from Day 1 what we wanted,” Rivers said before Monday’s game. “That we would love to get him back. … My guess is if and when he comes, I think he will be ready to play.”
Sources tell Wojnarowski that there’s an expectation Simmons will meet with franchise leadership on Tuesday at the team’s practice facility. The discussions that take place during that meeting should help determine the next steps for the two sides.
Here’s more on the situation:
- Pompey provides a few more interesting details in his report, writing that Simmons has officially put both of his Philadelphia-area residences up for sale and noting that Sixers fans in the nosebleed section on Monday chanted, “(Expletive) Ben Simmons!” late in the game.
- If Simmons is willing to reintegrate with the Sixers, his camp and the club are expected to discuss the possibility of him recouping some of the money he lost when he was fined for missed practices and games over the last couple weeks, per Wojnarowski.
- The 76ers haven’t come close to finding a trade they like for Simmons and don’t have any traction on a deal at this point, sources tell ESPN. However, Wojnarowski acknowledges the trade market could “shift quickly” once the regular season gets underway.
- Asked on Monday about Simmons’ potential return, star center Joel Embiid, who admitted he hadn’t talked to his All-Star teammate over the offseason, provided the following response, per Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com: “It’s unfortunate the whole situation happened, but we’re a better team with him on the floor. I think there are going to be some adjustments, but it doesn’t need to be awkward. We are professionals, we want to win. I want to win. He gives me the best chance to win, so that’s what I’m going to go with. But as far as coming back and all that, we’ve made a few adjustments, and he’s just got to come in and buy in and we’re going to be fine. Last year we were the No. 1 seed. You just got to buy in and we’re going to be fine.”
No, that wasn’t the nosebleed…it was most of the stadium.
Jo is right, if he can do a mental adjustment, maybe shoot right handed with a normal shooting form, and actually do that thing you know that NBA players do – shoot.
Will be interesting to see if he actually has the guts to suit up and play, considering – at least to start – his home games might be away games.
I’ll be looking for his FT%. If he’s still sub-50% then I think: A) he’s still mentally shaken up, and B) his trade value is going to be even more negatively affected than it has.
It’s the regular season, Simmons has never shot below 50%
Dont under rate the Yips!
Never shot below 50% in the playoffs prior to last either so not sure what your point is
My point is exactly what i said. He’s never done it. You want me to expand? You made a comment with the whole basis on a small sample size of basketball. I thought I would just point out the simple fact that he has never done it before. A season is a long time. Players go through streaks, but over the course of the season it balances out. I would think there is a greater likelihood that he continues shooting in his career range next year vs all of a sudden shooting less than 50%
So your point is that we should essentially glean nothing from Simmons’ breakdown in the playoffs and just assume that he’ll bounce back, in Philly, with teammates he’s refused to speak to for months, and slide right back into his historical statistical averages. OK. I agree that it’s possible that happens—disagree that it’s probable.
And while I agree that a season is, in fact, a long time, if the 6ers are serious about moving Simmons then he has to re-establish his trade value fairly soon. Bc if he comes out the gate slow, whether it be at the line or just in general, it will be difficult for Morey to explain to potential trade partners that Simmons, on a max contract, is just experiencing a lull in production, and that it’ll all average out eventually.
This won’t help sell Ben. But 9x he’s scored 9 or fewer points all 30min or more. Jo scored 9 once, in an 11min game.
Ben has had a few big games in the playoffs. Mostly tho he’s been stymied by the opposition’s defense against him. The Boston Wall series? And the latest is Hack a Ben which paralyzed him in 4 straight 4th quarters.
If they think that is a surprise, wait and see how surprised they are by the timing of his “injury.”
What wasn’t reported is that Simmons didn’t want to “take” the Covid test so he could “pass” it to someone else.
… But of course he is back. Who in his right mind is willing to lose that much money? C’mon! Joke!
They were saying “Let’s go Brandon!” What do you mean?
I definitely heard Lets Go Brandon.
just cult members showing their deplorable morals.
Hahahaha
LET’S GO BRANDON!!!
Worst case scenario coming for the Sixers.
Don’t you have to show up to get paid? This is probably on advice from his agent, show up so they can’t dock your pay but don’t participate.
Simmons help Sixers win a few games and watch the boos go away.
Yea, winning cures all
Yes, they’ll boo him. But if they win everything will disappear.
No it won’t
He’s not staying with the 76ers.
So unprofessional
Timing of Simmons’ return?
EB gets text before game time saying he’s about to enter the building?
Welp, now he won’t get fined for missing the game… well played.
Ben should just hoist up Harden style 30ft step-back 3s on every possession until they bench him or trade him.
I forget who it was but one dude wanted to get traded so he just shot from anywhere on the court he got the ball instantly. You dont like it trade me biotches…
Well they say they want him shooting deep more.
This is Ben’s last bit of leverage, but it’s the mother lode. Before this, the Sixers could imagine a tenable scenario where he stays in L.A., and they play on and just see how things go without dropping their trade demands. They’re probably good enough without him to stay in the top 4 in the east, maybe 5 or 6. And maybe resolve it at the deadline or so.
Now, though, that scenario is gone. Maybe he shows up and plays well, but that’s so, so unlikely. He’s back to get his money, and will either dog it or sit on the bench until Embiid and Doc tell Morey to trade him now, even if it’s for nothing. Only other option for team would be to suspend him.
Ben never had any leverage. Keep dreaming. He’s signed long term, end of story. If his free agency was closer, sure then he would have some leverage. If he dogs it, what team will want to trade for him? Who will want to give him opportunities off the court? He will just sabotage his own earning potential and legacy. Sixers gain nothing by dumping him for scraps. The Sixers do not have financial flexibility to trade him and sign another star, so the only way is by trade. He wants out, he needs to come to work
I know it’s been said a thousand and 1 times but please just accept that we won’t get back an all star level player as a return. Let’s just take a good ‘2 for 1’ deal plus a pick and move on from this.
Every since the playoffs till now all we hear about is Ben Simmons and I’m sick of it.
Let’s say they settle on Ben for Brogdan, LeVert and a first. Giannas who is a 2 time MVP was paired with Middleton and Holiday and won a championship. Those two 30 year old players combine for 3 all star games, not that Brogdan LeVert and Harris combine for any but these three aren’t far from it and would be a good enough supporting cast to play around an MVP candidate in Embiid and make us a title contender.
If you dive deeper, our depth of Maxey, Curry, Thybulle, Drummond and others is better than the Bucks of Portis, DiVancenzo, Connaughton, Hill and others.
Do you still want this trade because now Brogdon is hurt? Looks like he’s starting early this year
Seems like it’ll be either the Kings or he stays
#FreeBenSimmons
Meredith Brooks for his new intro music?
Rivers needs to stop talking to the media on this matter. Even he can’t craft a narrative that exonerates him here, and there’s no other apparent purpose to his statements.
He has to get an NBA-approved vax shot. They’re not taking his word for it, after him dismissing a contract with four years left.
I might ask what they think about all this in Australia, but I’m not even sure what concensus conclusions are being reached here!
How disresepctful
Praise Morey! MVP
#FreeBenSimmons