The Ben Simmons stare-down with the Philadelphia 76ers has reached new heights. The NBA All-Star guard has apparently taken an even more aggressive posture toward the franchise.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Simmons has told the Sixers he no longer wants to be with the team.
In 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 wants to remain a Sixer, according to multiple sources.
Sources said the three-time All-Star also does not intend to report to training camp.
It seems as though the ball is now in the Sixers' court, but that the leverage has shifted to Simmons, at least to a degree.
If he refuses to show up to training camp and refuses to play for the 76ers ever again, Philly will almost have to deal him at some point in time, which could mean taking less than what the Sixers are asking for. This has been the sticking point; the franchise and general manager Daryl Morey are insisting on a very high return in assets for Simmons, while Simmons wants to create a headache so intense that the franchise tires of the chase and lowers that asking price.
Simmons had an abysmal postseason for the Sixers and the boos rained down from the Philly faithful when the team was eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Expected to legitimately compete for an NBA title, the 76ers were booted on their home court in the second round.
It led to a ton of speculation that Simmons could be shown the door by the Sixers, and now it appears he wants to walk right through the doorway and into another city.
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