Sixers training camp began Tuesday with no sign of Ben Simmons. With Simmons’ next paycheck due Friday, Philadelphia finds itself in a uniquely precarious position. President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey hasn’t found an offer to his liking yet, but could be in danger of overplaying his hand, losing leverage by the day with Simmons’ trade value approaching an all-time low. The 76ers can, and assuredly will, fine Simmons for his continued absence, but is that a strong enough incentive for the disgruntled 25-year-old to end his holdout? Not according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, who revealed Simmons is willing to sit the entire 2021-22 season if necessary.
“Ben Simmons is willing to sit as long as it takes,” Shelburne shared Tuesday during her appearance on The Jump. “Worst case scenario it takes all year. Would he sit all year? The answer right now is yes.”
Some members of the Sixers organization remain optimistic that Simmons will eventually resurface, though his recent actions, including nixing a proposed meeting with team brass in Los Angeles, would suggest otherwise. Frustrated at sharing the spotlight with teammate Joel Embiid and answering to head coach Doc Rivers, who was publicly critical of Simmons after his playoff no-show this past summer, the 6’11” Australian has apparently made up his mind, refusing to entertain any thought of returning to the team that drafted him first overall in 2016.
Simmons would, at least in theory, be obligated to honor his contract (he’s entering the second year of a five-year, $177.2-million max extension), but in the NBA’s new age of player empowerment, being labeled a “malcontent” or “unprofessional” is no longer a deterrent (just ask James Harden, who burned every last bridge on his way out of Houston). Apparently, neither is the threat of lost wages, with Kendrick Perkins arguing Simmons has more than enough in his bank account ($56.7 million in career earnings) to punt a year of his prime, if that’s what it takes.
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“It’s a new generation. Guys are getting so much money that they’re comfortable. That bank account is full,” said Perkins, a former NBA center for Boston (where he won a championship in 2008), Oklahoma City, Cleveland and New Orleans. “As stupid as it may sound to me or the rest of the world a guy missing out on X amount of dollars, to them, they’re like, ‘I’m set. I could afford to lose money this year and sit out and make a statement.’ You’re looking at two parties that are being very stubborn right now.”
A three-time All-Star who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2021, Simmons is due a $33-million salary this upcoming season, sixth-highest in the league among point guards behind only Steph Curry, John Wall, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving.
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