Ben Simmons said he was mentally unprepared to play for the Sixers this season. He tried to get Philadelphia to trade, but said his mental health issues weren’t just about the deal. 76ers president Daryl Morey said he had faith in Simmons.
However, the 76ers fined Simmons over $19 million before trading him to the Nets.
Simmons is reportedly set to return to Philadelphia on Thursday, sitting on the bench in Brooklyn but not playing due to back problems.
Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice:
League sources expect Simmons and his rep to file a formal complaint against the Sixers in the coming days.
It has been speculated in league circles that Simmons, who showed up for Thursday’s game, is simply setting the stage for Simmons and Klutch Sports’ argument when a complaint is filed.
Put Simmons in the middle of this storm, the argument goes, and it’s considered Proof A for why Simmons couldn’t and didn’t meet his obligations to the Sixers before he was traded, why he wasn’t willing to work for this franchise before it was sold.
Maybe Simmons will make up some of his lost money. Like physical health issues, mental health issues that prevent a player from playing should not jeopardize his “guaranteed” salary. But there are difficult questions about where to draw the line between prohibitive mental health issues and the desire not to play for a team amid a trade request. Even if Simmons was unable to play due to legitimate mental health issues, there are questions about whether Simmons took appropriate steps to fulfill his contractual obligations with the 76ers.
The arbitrator will have something to deal with.
However, it’s hard to see how attending Thursday’s game in Philadelphia would support Simmons’ stance.
Treating him as a visiting player will not necessarily show how the fans would react to him as a ’76 player. On the other hand, Simmons’ mental health on March 10 is not necessarily indicative of his October-February mental health.
If anything, if Simmons handles Thursday’s game, it could show that he could handle the 76ers’ Philadelphia game.