If you thought the Ben Simmons saga was on its last legs – then Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has a message.
“Buckle in.”
Simmons is unlikely to play in the Sixers’ home opener against Brooklyn after the Australian skipped a scheduled individual workout at the Philadelphia 76ers’ practice facility.
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Simmons is expected to come early to the 76ers’ shootaround Saturday (AEDT) to discuss his playing status, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Regardless of the tactics employed by the Aussie, the latest comments by Morey suggest the stalemate could go on for “years”.
During an interview on 97.5 The Fanatic, the 76ers official gave a strong indication the franchise is willing to dig its heels in and won’t back down to the 25-year-old.
“People should buckle in, this is gonna go a long time because our only task, my only job is to help us have the best chance to win the title,” Morey said.
“Ben Simmons is a difference-maker, so we can get him back. He will help us win the title. If we can trade Ben Simmons for a difference-maker, we will do it. I think that’s best for everyone in this situation.”
Morey is known as an unflappable negotiator during his time in the league, and with four years left on the Aussie’s contract, it’s clear the former Houston GM has backing from ownership to take the dispute as far as it needs to go.
He confirmed the franchise is in it for the long haul.
“You’re going to think I’m kidding, and I’m not, this could be four years,” said.
“Unless Ben Simmons is traded for a difference maker, we are in the prime of Joel’s career, we have to get back either Ben Simmons playing well for us, that will help us win the championship, or we have to get back a difference maker for Ben Simmons.”
While several pundits have expressed dismay over the distraction the saga has caused for the 76ers, Morey says the Sixers are willing to live with it.
“Would you rather eliminate what people perceive to be a distraction, or would you rather have better playoff odds? I’ll take playoff odds.
“… Whatever we have to deal with that helps the Philadelphia 76ers win the title, we’ll do it.”
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