Ben Simmons‘ relationship with the Philadelphia 76ers continues to worsen with reports the Australian superstar is refusing the organisation’s mental health assistance.
Simmons, who has been out of action due to personal reasons, was last week spotted with the team at Philadelphia’s training facility for the first time since being kicked out of practice in early October.
While the three-time All-Australian is pushing for a trade out of Philadelphia, it’s also understood he won’t return to the court any time soon due to not being mentally fit.
According to an ESPN report put together by respected insiders Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski, the 76ers have grown “increasingly frustrated” with the 25-year-old’s refusal to use Philadelphia’s resources to help him with his mental health issues.
The report states: “While Simmons has been working with team doctors to treat a back ailment, he has been unwilling to meet with team doctors to discuss his mental readiness, sources said.”
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Instead, Simmons has been working alongside mental health professionals provided by the NBA’s players association, in which he hasn’t been updating the 76ers on how that situation has been tracking along.
Since returning to practice, Simmons has been through one-on-one scenarios with 76ers coaching staff.
It remains unclear when he will return to five-on-five activities and near a return to play.