Report: People around Ben Simmons have pushed him to play if he’s not traded by the deadline

The NBA trade deadline is just a few days away, and while there are some rumors about Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons, things don’t seem to be trending strongly towards a trade.

That’s saying a lot, considering the fact that the 76ers have been trying to move Simmons since the offseason. Moreover, Simmons has yet to suit up for a single game this season in a very clear act of a defiance directed towards his current team.

Now, as the deadline fast approaches, a report has indicated that people within Simmons’ camp have been pushing him toward the idea of rejoining the 76ers and playing out the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign in the event that he is not moved.

“Numerous figures affiliated with Simmons’ representation insist he’ll never dress for the franchise again, but there are people around Simmons who have recently pushed for the All-Star to retake the floor if he’s not dealt, sources said,” Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report wrote.

His absence this season has been somewhat perplexing. After all, if he were really dedicated to getting moved to a better situation than the one in Philadelphia, it stands to reason that he could benefit from being on the court and showing off his immense talent. Instead, he has sullied his reputation by seeming like a fairly selfish teammate and immature personality.

On top of that, the last memory people have of Simmons playing currently comes from an embarrassing display in the playoffs. Simmons was ineffective for the 76ers in last season’s playoff run and appeared overly passive at times.

Still, the three-time All-Star is an immense talent when he’s locked in. During his career, he’s averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game.

He’s one of the best defensive guards in the league and can typically get to the basket at will. If he could learn to stretch the floor with his shot and improve his free-throw shooting, he could become one of the best players in the league.

However, he simply has to get back on the court. If he’s not traded by the upcoming deadline, it will be fascinating to see what decision he makes in that regard.