Ben Simmons' time with the Philadelphia 76ers has come to an end, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey, with the three-time All-Star telling key members of the Sixers organization that he wants to leave the City of Brotherly Love.
Simmons reportedly told Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, managing co-partner Josh Harris, head coach Doc Rivers, and general manager Elton Brand that he no longer wants to stay with the only team he has played for in the NBA.
Simmons makes training camp threat
Simmons made it clear to them that he doesn't plan on reporting to the Sixers' training camp in Camden, New Jersey, next month if he is still not traded at that point. This offseason, the Sixers have made Simmons available to other teams after a disappointing performance in the second round of the playoffs.
Simmons got much of the blame in that defeat to the Atlanta Hawks as he attempted just three field goals in the fourth quarter of each of the seven games played in that series. The defining play of that series came in the dying minutes of Game 7 when Simmons inexplicably passed up a wide-open dunk that could have tied the game. The Sixers failed to regain the lead or tie the game again after that botched play as they suffered yet another early postseason exit.
Rivers and Joel Embiid didn't hide their frustration with Simmons' play after the Game 7 loss as both of them joined in the blame game as well. Rivers said that he wasn't sure whether Simmons could ever be a point guard on a championship team, while Embiid stated that the turning point of their Game 7 loss was Simmons passing up on the late dunk.
Related Article: Most Famous Brothers in the NBA: Antetokounmpo, Holiday and Ball Siblings Take Center Stage
Simmons disappointed with Rivers as he targets move to California
According to Pompey in an interview on 97.5 The Fanatic Philadelphia, Simmons got upset with Rivers for his comment as the Sixers guard felt "Doc threw him under the bus." Pompey later added that he thinks that was the "last straw with Ben Simmons and the 76ers."
Simmons appears to have his eyes set on a move to the Western Conference, with Pompey saying he wants to go to three California teams. At the top of Simmons' preferred destinations are the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Simmons has plenty of connections with these West Coast teams, and a move to the Warriors has been recently discussed within the Golden State organization. Simmons was offered to them by Daryl Morey before the NBA Draft, but they weren't willing to pay a king's ransom for the Sixers star's services.
READ MORE ON SWN:
Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr Want Team USA Partnership for 2024 Paris Olympics
JR Smith Heeds Ray Allen's Advice; Plans To Play NCAA Golf With North Carolina A&T in School Return
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
