Philadelphia 76ers’ star Ben Simmons has been the subject to trade rumors all offseason, and it appears he now might be forcing his way out.
According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Simmons will not show up for training camp later this month.
“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,” Pompey wrote. “Sources said the three-time All-Star also does not intend to report to training camp.”
Simmons has been rumored to be on the trade block almost immediately following the 76ers being bounced from the playoffs in the second round by the Atlanta Hawks.
It’s also been reported by Pompey, via 97.5 The Fanatic Philadelphia, that Sixers head coach Doc Rivers’ comments throwing him under the bus at the end of the series was “the final straw.”
“Apparently, Ben is upset. He’s upset that he feels like Doc threw him on the bus.”
Simmons has been linked with multiple teams around the NBA this offseason, including the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves. In the same article, Pompey reports that Simmons would prefer a trade to three of the four NBA teams located in California.
The 76ers will have some time to work on a trade, as their training camp doesn’t begin until the end of the month on Sept. 28 in San Diego, California.
