Daryl Morey Comments on Ben Simmons Situation: ‘This is Going to Go For a Long Time’
Ben Simmons’ return to the Philadelphia 76ers hasn’t been a rosy one, and according to Philadelphia 76ers’ general manager Daryl Morey, it may go on a long time.
Morey, when speaking to Mike Missanelli on 97.5, The Fanatic warned 76ers fans that there is no clear end in sight for the Simmons drama.
“So people should buckle in,” he said. “This is going to go for a long time, because my only job is to help us have the best chance to win the title. Ben Simmons is a difference maker, so if we can get him back, he will help us win the title. If we can trade Ben Simmons for a difference maker, we will do it. I think that’s best for everyone in this situation.”
“You guys think I’m kidding,” he added. “I’m not. This could be four years. The conditions that I’m pointing out to you don’t change. Unless Ben Simmons is traded for a difference maker, we’re in the prime of (Joel Embiid’s) career. We have to get back either Ben Simmons playing well for us, who helps us win the championship, or we have to get back a difference maker for Ben Simmons — or this could be four years from now and we’re still like, hey, we took the best shot at it we could.”
On Tuesday, Simmons was kicked out by head coach Doc Rivers and subsequently suspended for the season opener. He then showed up to the team facility on Thursday and reportedly noted “back tightness” to the team’s staff.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted Friday morning that Simmons met with the team’s medical professionals, as well as Rivers, and echoed that he’s “not mentally ready to play to his expectations.”
Simmons is a three-time All-Star with career averages of 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game.
