Ben Simmons Still Not Expected To Play For 76ers Again

Sources close to Ben Simmons continue to say the star guard/forward will never play for the 76ers again even though he has returned to the team, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Simmons has yet to return to game action, and still has refused to meet with team doctors to discuss his mental readiness, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski reported. He is also said to be dealing with a minor back ailment. 

Simmons, 25, has not played since the end of last season, when the 76ers began exploring the idea of trading him. He reportedly made it known before training camp that he prefers a trade himself.

Simmons has been meeting with mental health professionals through the players union, but is not sharing details of those meetings with the 76ers, Wojnarowski and Shelburne reported.

Shortly after reporting to the team, Simmons was thrown out of practice by coach Doc Rivers for refusing to enter a drill, then skipped an individual workout, citing a back issue.

“On a regular basis at the team’s Camden, N.J. practice facility, Simmons has engaged with teammates and members of the coaching staff in one-on-one scenarios but has not advanced to rejoin full team activities and it’s unclear when or if he will,” Shelburne and Wojnarowski wrote.

Sixers director of basketball operations Daryl Morey recently said he felt as if things were moving in a “positive direction” with Simmons.

“We’re working with them to provide every resource to help them with what is needed,” Morey told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “And, you know, he spoke to his teammates, you know, things seem to be moving very much in a positive direction.”

The Cavaliers, Spurs, Pistons, Pacers, Kings, Timberwolves and Raptors were cited last month as some of the teams with a strong interest in exploring a trade for Simmons.