One of Ben Simmons‘ former teammates, Danny Green, has said he’s extremely sceptical of the Aussie superstar making an on-court return to Philadelphia with his new team.
The 25-year-old is yet to play a game for the Brooklyn Nets, but GM Sean Marks believes it will be “sooner rather than later”.
Simmons is set to return to Philadelphia with his new team on March 10 – but Green said he would be shocked if the Aussie even makes an appearance.
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“Now will we shake hands to start? Probably not. First, I’d be highly surprised if he even plays in that game,” Green said on the Inside the Green Room podcast.
“I don’t know where his health is mentally, physically. I know he had other issues and we all know he does not like to play in Philly so if he does play in that game, I’d be highly surprised, but say that does happen, I see it as being a very hectic, playoff-like atmosphere and environment to where it may be very rough for him.”
Green joined the 76ers during the 2020-21 season, after winning back to back rings with the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively.
He insisted there was no bad blood between he and Simmons or others on the team – although that flies in the face of the meme Joel Embiid tweeted on the day Simmons was traded.
“I don’t have any ill will toward the guy, I don’t hate him I don’t dislike him, it’s just for me, it’s whatever,” Green said.
“I waste more energy going out of my way to dislike him, or spend energy trying to go out of my way to hate him or do things to him.
“If he comes up and shows love, I’ll say what’s up, that’s the type of deal I’m on. I’m not the type of guy to not say what’s up to people that doesn’t say what’s up to me.”
Each remaining game for both Philadelphia and Brooklyn is key – as both are focused on finishing in the top six in the Eastern Conference and avoiding the play-in portion of the play-off bracket.
Green said he was happy to “let bygones be bygones” if he saw Simmons in a couple of weeks.
“I understand you have a mental health issue, I understand you don’t want to play where you want to, whatever it is, you did what you needed to do to make better for you in your life. That’s cool,” he said.
“Do I think you could have handled it better? For sure.”
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