Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons said he is still not mentally ready to play after president of basketball operations Daryl Morey approached him about a return to action Wednesday, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Simmons’ timetable for a return is still unclear.
Charania adds that team officials have been supportive and seeking feedback from Simmons as he continues receiving help from medical professionals, without requesting to know specifics about his discussions.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported Tuesday that “there has been frustration mounting” about Simmons not accepting the help the team has offered him.
“He has been working with mental health professionals through the players association, but thus far, I’m told he hasn’t really kept the team in the loop on that,” said Shelburne.
Simmons has yet to play for the 5-2 76ers this season.
The 25-year-old missed all of training camp and the early part of the pre-season in the wake of his off-season trade demand, but eventually rejoined the team – only to be kicked out of practice on Oct. 19 and suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
Charania reported on Oct. 22, ahead of Philadelphia’s home opener, that Simmons expressed a desire to play to head coach Doc Rivers and the entire 76ers team, but said he needed time.
Rivers called it a productive day.
“It still doesn’t mean things will work out perfect, or it could,” Rivers said. “I’ve always believed that. I’ve never wavered from that.”
His teammates also showed support.
“And we’ll respect his privacy and space during this time,” Tobias Harris wrote on Twitter. “When he’s ready, we will embrace our brother with love and handle our business on the court. That’s it, that’s all.”
Rivers said he didn’t want to predict when Simmons might rejoin the Sixers – if the guard returns at all.
“We’re going to make sure Ben’s with the right people and see where that goes,” Rivers said. “He is part of the team. We have certain rules, obviously. The other day, that didn’t happen. But today was a good day.”
At this time, neither Simmons – who has yet to speak publicly this season on the issue – nor the 76ers have disclosed specifics on the nature of why he does not yet feel mentally ready to play.
Simmons, a three-time All-Star, has often been the subject of trade discussions, dating back to last year when the 76ers included him as a key trade chip in an attempt to acquire James Harden from the Houston Rockets. Harden was eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
But trade rumours intensified after the 76ers fell to a lower-seed Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the playoffs last season. Simmons, in particular, played below expectations in the series and infamously did not attempt a single shot during the fourth quarter in the final four games of the series – even with an open layup available in Game 7.
Report: 76ers’ Simmons tells Morey he’s still not mentally ready to play
Source: Pinas Ko Mahal
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