Lost in the ongoing power struggle between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers is why all of this is happening.
Simmons has come out and angrily pledged to never play another game in Philly.
Sixers brass has defiantly turned down two solid trade proposals for the 25-year-old, demanding nothing short of their full asking price for him.
This has led to a stalemate, where Simmons won’t show up to training camp and he 76ers can’t trade him because they have no leverage.
But again, why is all this happening? How did it get to this point?
According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Simmons’ agent Rich Paul has made it clear to the Sixers the real reason Simmons wants out.
“The Sixers asked why Simmons wanted out, and Paul informed them that the point guard was mentally exhausted,” he wrote. “The source believes they didn’t pay attention to Simmons’ state of mind or feelings about being in Philly because of the four years remaining on his contract.”
Now Urban Meyer’s wife is lashing out at him on social media.
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 5, 2021
As things currently stand, there is one squad that is viewed as a legitimate ‘sleeper’ candidate to acquire Simmons. Beyond that, the Houston Rockets are very interested in him – as are the Cleveland Cavaliers. Whether anything actually happens on either front remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Simmons seems destined to lose a lot of money as this thing drags on and the weeks turn into months.
Related: How Jim Harbaugh Handled An ‘Urban Meyer Situation’
Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
