Ben Simmons tells team leaders he doesn’t want to be a Sixer anymore

Ben Simmons has made it known he wants to leave.

During a meeting with the 76ers last week in Los Angeles, Simmons told team co-managing partner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, general manager Elton Brand and coach Doc Rivers that he no longer wanted to remain a Sixer, according to several sources.

Sources said the three-time All-Star also had no plans to show up to training camp.

A spokesperson for the team declined to comment.

For the second time since December, the Sixers are trying unsuccessfully to trade Simmons, whose trade value has declined. At the start of last season, they attempted to send him to the Houston Rockets in exchange for James Harden. The Rockets finally traded Harden to the Brooklyn Nets on Jan.11.

The Sixers are struggling to find a squad to meet their high commercial demands.

The organization doesn’t want to trade Simmons for less than what it believes to be his fair market value. The four told Simmons they wanted him to show up at the start of training camp on September 28 and be part of the squad.

READ MORE: Warriors Reject Sixers’ High Asking Price, Walk Away From Ben Simmons Trade

The source said, however, that the Sixers ‘inability to obtain fair market value was not Simmons’ fault.

Another source said there is no shortage of teams that are still interested, but the problem is, Morey is demanding a ransom from the King.

Simmons is fully aware that the Sixers can fine him for resisting and not showing up to training camp. But a source said money would play no role in decision-making for Simmons, who has four years and $ 147 million left on his contract.

Also, fining Simmons could strain the Sixers’ relationship with their super agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. Paul has a who’s who of clients – players the Sixers might be interested in pursuing free agency with.

When asked specifically if he thinks Simmons would return, a source said emphatically “no”.

None of this should come as a surprise.

As The Inquirer noted on July 26, if Simmons is serious about going out, he could choose to be disruptive or not show up to training camp. The tactic has worked for many elite professional athletes from all sports who want to be traded.

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said on August 9 that Simmons was prepared to stay out of training camp for as long as it takes to be traded.

Time will tell if the 25-year-old pays off and / or if the team avoids what is bound to be a circus atmosphere by swapping it in the weeks leading up to camp.

The belief around the league is that the Sixers have asked six-time All-NBA playmaker Damian Lillard to request a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. But Lillard said, “I’m not leaving [Portland] – not for the moment at least “Wednesday during a live broadcast on Instagram.

The Sixers’ best consolation might be to get back to the Blazers for a possible deal involving shooting guard CJ McCollum before training camp begins. This exchange would make sense for both teams.

In addition to meeting needs, players have similar salaries. Simmons will earn $ 33 million next season, while McCollum will receive $ 30.8 million.

The problem is, both teams might think they should get more in return.

McCollum, 29, has averaged 18.9 points while shooting 38.9% from 3 points in 528 career games with 431 starts. However, the eight-year Lehigh veteran is not an All-Star after years of playing in the difficult Western Conference.

Even still, it might be the best option and a good pickup right before training camp with all things considered.

League sources believe the Sixers will struggle to get what they perceive to be fair market value under the circumstances.

“Think back to about three months ago, when the Sixers were ready to give up on Ben Simmons. You’re like, ‘Let’s see what we have to do to get it,’ ”said a Western Conference executive, who requested anonymity. “Now the difference is Ben Simmons says he refuses to play for the Sixers. He wants to go to three California teams. There is so much bad blood between him and the team.

The executive said the teams are unwilling to give in to the Sixers’ high asking price knowing they have to move Simmons.

“The kid said he wasn’t coming back,” the executive said. “I am not giving you what you demand. They really ruined everything.

A source believes Simmons ‘devaluation began with Rivers’ post-game commentary after the Game 7 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals on June 20.

It was then that the coach, who has been one of Simmons’ biggest supporters and defenders, was asked by The Inquirer’s David Murphy if the star is still capable of being a point guard. in a championship caliber team.

“I don’t know the answer to that question yet,” said Rivers one night when Simmons finished with five points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and was sidelined in the final 40 seconds of the 103-96 loss.

He only attempted four shots, making two. For the fourth game in a row, Simmons did not attempt to pitch in the fourth quarter. He played timidly, fearing to go to the foul line.

READ MORE: Right deal for Ben Simmons proves elusive, but time may not be on Sixers’ side

This became evident with 3 minutes, 29 seconds remaining and the Sixers lagging behind, 88-86. He drove to the basket past Danilo Gallinari, but passed an open dunk under the basket, distributing the ball to Matisse Thybulle, who was fouled by John Collins. Thybulle made one of two free throws.

The day after the reluctance, Rivers said Simmons was recoverable. He said the Sixers would come up with the right kind of off-season training plan to help correct Simmons’ shooting deficiencies. But a source said Simmons did not participate in an offseason training plan for the Sixers.

The source believes it will be difficult for Simmons to have a working relationship with the team in the future. At the same time, the team are not trying to pass up their multi-faceted player for little in return.

The Sixers would certainly have a lot of holes to fill in getting rid of Simmons.

In addition to being the point guard, Simmons is a two-time NBA All-Defensive player, a third-team All-NBA selection, a small ball center and a reserve forward.

Can you imagine Simmons returning to the Sixers for two months just to increase his business value? And with all the warmth he’s likely to receive from Sixers fans, he could benefit from a change of scenery.