Ben Simmons has been the hot topic all summer in Philadelphia and now after dragging his name in the mud, he has finally made it clear on what he wants to do next.
Simmons informed the Sixers last week that he wants to be traded, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The former first overall pick formally requested a trade in a meeting with team owner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, general manager Elton Brand and head coach Doc Rivers. Simmons also said he does not intend to show up to training camp.
One Western Conference executive told Pompey that Simmons wants to play on the West Coast. The same exec said there is “so much bad blood between (Simmons) and the team.”
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Simmons has reportedly been ghosting the 76ers all summer long. Philadelphia is almost certainly open to trading him, but they are trying to salvage as much leverage as possible. Now that Simmons has officially said he wants out, the leverage could be gone.
Simmons and the 76ers need a divorce and its good to see he has finally come around on that. Expect the 76ers to move Simmons before the start of training camp.