Ben Simmons wants out of Philadelphia and is willing to sit out of training camp, according to NBA analyst and former player Kendrick Perkins.
"Ben Simmons is not answering the phone calls," Perkins said on ESPN's The Jump on Monday. "He don't want to be with the 76ers. And from what I heard, he's at least willing not to report to training camp and would go as far as it would take to get out of Philly."
Rachel Nichols asked Perkins to repeat that nugget of information and Perking did, implying that Simmons is willing to sit out into the season if necessary.
"Willing not to show up to training camp, that he will not show up to training camp and that he's willing to sit out for however long until he gets out of Philly," said Perkins.
In Simmons-related news, his trainer Chris Johnson posted this video of Simmons making three-pointers, in what has become a social media summer tradition at this point.
Simmons, 25, has four years left on his five-year, $177 million max contract. Talks have been rampant all offseason with Simmons trade rumors following a second-round playoff exit by the Sixers where Simmons struggled mightily from the free-throw line and eventually became reluctant to shoot the ball in the fourth quarters, highlighted by an open dunk attempt he passed up in the team's elimination game.
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Perkins is 36 and hasn't been retired long, playing for the Cavaliers as most recently in 2018 and also in 2015. The obvious Simmons connection for Perkins is LeBron James and his childhood friend Rich Paul, who runs Klutch Sports, the agency that represents Simmons.
Daryl Morey and the Sixers are reportedly looking for, at least, a multi-time all-star for Simmons and/or multiple draft-picks. The big two names that have come up consistently are Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal, but nothing significant has developed with either of those two players yet.