It’s been well documented that Ben Simmons wants out of Philadelphia and there have been rumblings that the former No. 1 overall pick could skip training camp as he angles for a trade.
The Sixers have the option to fine Simmons should he not show up and the NBA could step in if they don’t “penalize him financially with a suspension,” Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks of ESPN relay.
Expect the NBA to step in if Simmons does not report and the 76ers do not penalize him financially with a suspension. The last thing the league can afford is a precedent of players under contract not reporting for training camp.
The Sixers are still very much in win-now mode, so they have their eyes on guys like Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal, which would instantly move them into the conversation as the team to come out of the Eastern Conference.
Simmons met with team owner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, GM Elton Brand, and coach Doc Rivers attempted to convince him to show up to camp in a few weeks and be part of the team, our own Chris Crouse relayed. However, that didn’t appear to move Simmons into wanting to rejoin his teammates.
If Simmons continues to hold out, that could pressure Philadelphia into finally trading him, but GM Daryl Morey hasn’t shown any rush into pulling the trigger on any deal. As it stands, Simmons is likely to remain with the team to begin the season.
Simmons is under contract for four more seasons, which gives him the lower ground between him and the Sixers.
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