The Philadelphia 76ers convened back at their practice facility in Camden, NJ on Friday morning to prepare for their home opener with the Brooklyn Nets and they also had a meeting with disgruntled star Ben Simmons.
As the 25-year old 3-time All-Star ended his holdout recently, the Sixers welcomed him back at practice, but he was not mentally nor physically engaged with the team. This led to him then being thrown out of practice on Tuesday and then suspended for the team’s season opener on Wednesday.
Now, as the Sixers move forward, they still have to figure out what to do with Simmons. Obviously, he wants to be traded, but the Sixers want him back with the team in order to move forward on their championship path. Simmons being back on the court would not only help the Sixers win games, but it would also boost his trade value so he can help Philadelphia facilitate a trade.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and The Stadium, Simmons has expressed his desire to return to the Sixers, but he does need more time to get mentally right:
When Joel Embiid in the meeting, I’m told, asked Ben Simmons about why he wants a trade, Simmons responded that mentally he’s just not feeling like himself right now and needs to take some time away. I’m told that was met with no response back and there were other team leaders, such as Tobias Harris, who then publicly and privately supported Ben Simmons, and let him know that he can take time away and get right mentally. So after being kicked out of practice, and being suspended for one game, Simmons will now have missed Friday’s home opener against the Brooklyn Nets and it’s unclear how long he will need to get his mind right, but in the meantime, I’m told Simmons will seek professional help to make sure that he’s able to get back on track and get back on the floor after he did express to teammates that he wants to play, but he wants to get right mentally before he’s able to do so. It’s believed the Sixers support Simmons he goes and seeks professional help.
Sources say Joel Embiid today asked 76ers co-star Ben Simmons the question: Why do you want a trade? Simmons responded that he isn’t feeling mentally himself and needs time to get right. Details: pic.twitter.com/oevLl2hXB2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 22, 2021
Simmons is a terrific player who has all of the physical tools and if he needs the time to get himself mentally right, then, by all means, he should go out and take care of himself. The best-case scenario is Simmons returning to the team, he plays well, and he is able to get the trade that he is looking for while Philadelphia gets the value in return they are looking for one of the game’s bright talents.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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