Even with the regular season now underway, there still doesn’t look to be a resolution on the horizon in the Philadelphia 76ers situation with NBA All-Star Ben Simmons. But, it does sound like some steps in the right direction were taken.
There was a meeting between Simmons and head coach Doc Rivers, Joel Embiid, and his teammates. Some things were aired out and everyone agreed that they needed to take responsibility for how things have transpired.
The biggest takeaway from that meeting is that there doesn’t remain a timetable for him to return. He said that he would like to come back but is not yet mentally prepared to play with the team.
Given how he looked in the postseason, Simmons’s confidence was crushed. He was torn apart in the media and there were some things said by coaches and teammates that cannot be taken back. Simmons isn’t free of fault, but you can understand why he would need a little more time to process after he spent the entire offseason away from the team and ignoring people.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 76ers’ Ben Simmons Remains ‘Mentally Not Ready’ To Play
Many believe trade is best for both sides, the 76ers have remained steadfast in their stance. They are not going to trade Simmons unless they get back what they feel is fair value.
Daryl Morey recently doubled down on that stance, going as far as to say that they will wait as long as it takes, even if it means waiting out the duration of Simmons’s contract.
“People should buckle in, this is going to go a long time because our only task, my only job is to help us get the best chance to win the title,” Morey said on the Mike Missanelli Show on 97.5 The Fanatic.
“Ben Simmons is a difference-maker,” Morey said. “Right now, I know there are people who are down on Ben Simmons, and there are good reasons for that from multiple perspectives both on the floor and off, but the reality is this guy is a multi-time All-Star… who is one of the most impactful defensive players in the league.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 76ers’ Ben Simmons Remains ‘Mentally Not Ready’ To Play
This is something a general manager could say only when everyone is on board. That would seem to be the case with the Philadelphia 76ers, as all of the coaches and players are ready for this thing to come to an end.
Whether that means Ben Simmons comes back and plays or is traded, they are ready for a resolution. Until then, the guys that are there ready to play will do their thing on the court and win as many games as they can.
