Ben Simmons’ conflict with the Philadelphia 76ers continues to be an issue, primarily because Simmons keeps declining efforts by the team to help him.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne appeared on “NBA Today” and indicated that Simmons’ animosity toward the 76ers hasn’t subsided, which has led to frustration on the part of the organization.
Ben Simmons has not accepted any off-court help from the 76ers and there's no timetable for his return, sources have told @ramonashelburne.
"There is frustration mounting." pic.twitter.com/0DqunuUoZx
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 2, 2021
“Malika [Andrews], there has been frustration mounting, according to people close to the situation, that Ben has not been accepting any of the help that the team has offered him in terms of helping him with his mental readiness,” Shelburne said. “He has been working with mental health professionals through the Players Association, but thus far I’m told he hasn’t really kept the team in the loop on that.
“There is frustration mounting there that they want to know, ‘Okay, you’re out due to mental, you need to get mentally ready to play,’ but so far, he’s just done individual work with some of their position coaches. He hasn’t been back in with the team, and he’s not providing the team with any updates on what he’s doing to get back and get himself back with the team and participating in team activities.”
When asked by Andrews about a potential timetable for the issue to be resolved, Shelburne was succinct.
“There is no timeline,” Shelburne said.
Simmons has been pushing for the 76ers to trade him and first refused to report to the team’s training camp. He later changed his mind, but has yet to take the court in a game for the Sixers this season.
The 76ers had previously looked into dealing the disgruntled guard, but their rumored asking price was steep enough to dissuade many other teams.
Given a sudden breakthrough, it seems inevitable that the Sixers will trade Simmons away, if only to protect their own collective mental health.
