Ben Simmons has been linked with an exit from the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite some suggestions that the 76ers should keep him on their team until he plays up his value, it seems as though that may not be happening.
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer has recently reported that Ben Simmons has told the Sixers brass that he wants to be traded and that he will not report to training camp. It seems as though the situation in Philadelphia is beyond repair.
Ben Simmons has told the 76ers he no longer wants to be part of the team and doesn't plan on reporting to training camp, per @PompeyOnSixers pic.twitter.com/N18LTdEB0l
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 31, 2021
It definitely feels as though it would be best for the Philadelphia 76ers to move on from Ben Simmons. A disgruntled star in the locker room could be bad for the team’s chemistry, and perhaps it’s better for everyone if they move on from one another. A Western Conference executive has reportedly stated that Ben Simmons wants to go to “three California teams” and that there’s a lot of “bad blood” between him and the franchise.
“Ben Simmons says he refuses to play for the Sixers. He wants to go to three California teams. There’s so much bad blood between him and the team.”
– Western Conference Executive on Ben Simmons
(Via @PompeyOnSixers ) pic.twitter.com/3TQShODF5k
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 31, 2021
While Ben Simmons may have lowered his stock around the league, he is still a very good player who could thrive in the right situation. He is only 25, and could potentially develop even further. His defense and playmaking are already there, and if he can just improve his scoring by a small margin, he’ll be an even better player than he is now. While he hasn’t made a lot of development on the offensive end with the 76ers, perhaps another team could unlock his game. It remains to be seen whether he does get traded to the desired destination in California, or whether the Philadelphia 76ers take another team’s trade package.
Ben Simmons has had a great few seasons in Philadelphia, and he has shown that he is an impactful player in a lot of areas. There’s definitely trade interest in Ben Simmons, and it’s only a matter of time until the 76ers find an offer that suits their needs.
