Ben Simmons‘ quest to find a new NBA team is heating up with reports the superstar Australian has informed the Philadelphia 76ers of his plans to sit out the start of the season unless he’s moved on.
Ever since the 76ers bowed out during last year’s playoff series, Simmons, who was heavily criticised for his side’s unsuccessful series against the Atlanta Hawks, has been pushing for a trade, with reports suggesting he would even be willing to buy himself out.
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Highly-respected NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski today revealed that the Simmons camp has informed the 76ers the 25-year-old’s future is anywhere but Philadelphia.
“Ben Simmons will not report for the opening of training camp next week and intends to never play another game for the franchise,” Wojnarowski wrote for ESPN.
“(He) wants a trade out of Philadelphia and told management that he has no plans to wear an NBA uniform again until he’s moved to a new team, sources said.
“Simmons explained his stance to ownership and management in a late August meeting and has had no direct contact with the organisation for weeks, sources said.”
The report by Wojnarowski says that assuming Simmons follows through with his plans to sit out, the 76ers have the power to fine the Australian up to $314,000 for each game missed.
The 25-year-old’s relationship with the 76ers appears irreparable which comes as no surprise considering his own coach, Doc Rivers, famously questioned the Australian’s ability to lead a championship-winning team by saying “I don’t know the answer to that.”
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Simmons has four years to go on his max contract and is owed $203 million.
While it’s unclear what Philadelphia will do, who are yet to be wooed by any potential trade packages, the likes of NBA teams Houston, Minnesota and Portland have been linked with a trade in recent weeks.
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