Simmons Informs Sixers that he Does Not Want to Return

The saga between the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons added a new chapter this week. According to The Philly Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, Simmons informed team officials that he does not want to return to the Sixers.

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.

Simmons, who endured a disastrous 2021 postseason, has been consistently featured in trade rumors this summer. According to multiple reports, the Sixers have remained patient in hopes that Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard would become available. It appears that Simmons is intent on forcing their hand.

Pompey brought up the Blazers near the end of his report on Tuesday. Pompey explained that the Sixers could to the Blazers as a potential trade partner.

The Sixers’ best consolation could be circling back to the Blazers for a potential deal involving shooting guard CJ McCollum before the start of training camp. That trade would make sense for both teams.

You can read the entire story from Pompey at The Philly Inquirer.