Simmons Fin(e)ding His Way Again

11/09/2021

By: Matthew Cahill

76ers and Ben Simmons Agree to Meet With Team-Reccomended Mental Health Specialist

Though a great amount of tension remains between the Philadelphia 76ers and their all-star guard Ben Simmons, the two parties were able to come to an agreement for Simmons to meet a team-recommended specialist to discuss his mental health. The Sixers have repeatedly fined Simmons for breaking contract terms since the start of the 2021-22 NBA season – with violations including missing regular season games and strength training.

 

The current developments continue a standoff that began over four months ago after the Sixers lost the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Hawks, where Simmons greatly underperformed. He then requested that he be traded and expressed no interest in playing for Philadelphia ever again. The Sixers had fined Simmons $2 million prior to October 22nd, when he declared that he was not mentally prepared to play for the team and had plans to seek professional help to deal with his situation. The Sixers began fining Simmons again late last week following his absence at Thursday’s game against Detroit, which is how we reached the point we’re at now.

 

Despite losing to the Knicks last night with a shorthanded roster as both Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris are in COVID protocols, the Sixers are still at the top of the Eastern Conference, sitting at 8-3 on the season. This adds yet another wrinkle to the entire saga, as opposing teams will look at Philly’s success without him and question the value he could bring to potential suitors.

 

Additional Storylines

Bleacher Report: Celtics, 76ers ‘Engaged in’ Talks; Jaylen Brown Linked

SI: Rate the Trade: Kyrie Irving for Ben Simmons