Sixers rumors: Team unable to get in touch with Ben Simmons

A certain substance has quite possibly hit the fan. In a recent episode of the Gastroenteritis Blues Podcast — part of the Liberty Ballers network — another domino dropped in the ongoing Ben Simmons saga. According to Jake Fischer, who recently reported on Bradley Beal’s potential trade request, the Sixers have been unable to get in touch with Simmons this offseason.

That is, naturally, pretty big news when you consider the circumstances. This would not be the first time Simmons and the team have been on different pages, but after Simmons’ epic collapse in the second round, many thought change was inevitable. Both Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey expressed confidence that Simmons would work with the team to make necessary changes to his game. That may not be the case after all.

"“I’m not gonna write this in the story, but I’ll tell this to you guys and you guys can do what you want with it. They haven’t been able to really even get in touch with Ben since the season ended. Like, there was an intent to have a workout plan or whatever — like in any offseason. That’s always kind of been the case, that the Sixers haven’t been able to align with a development plan [for Ben] — that’s kind of what Yaron Weitzman wrote at Fox Sports in that big story. It just doesn’t sound like there’s ever been movement to come together on the same page to do that, and it hasn’t really worked this summer either. I think that’s not something that’s an encouraging sign for him being in Philadelphia in the future.” — Jake Fischer, via Dan Volpone, Steve Lipman, Emily Anderson (Liberty Ballers)"

Recent Sixers rumors would suggest Ben Simmons is ghosting the organization. Does that spell the end of his time in Philadelphia?

Of course, sources within the organization strongly deny Fischer’s report and claim to have a strong line of communication with the 25-year-old, speaking with him as recently as his birthday on July 20. That report comes from Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.

At this point, it is extremely difficult to trust Ben Simmons. For years, he has failed to put in the necessary work, and failed to coordinate his development with the organization. If this playoff run was not enough to get him working under the eye of the organization, then expecting change is a futile pursuit.

To that end, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that a Simmons trade is “inevitable.” At this point, Pompey is merely stating the obvious.

"“It’s inevitable, according to league sources. It’s just not clear when it will happen, where he will go, and what the Sixers will receive in return.”"

Simmons’ time in Philadelphia is reaching its end. It is hard to imagine him with the franchise past the trade deadline, and even then, waiting that long is a risk. These new rumors only serve to weaken the Sixers’ position in the trade market. Time and patience are luxuries the Sixers cannot afford if Simmons’ stock is in perpetual decay. That is a balance Daryl Morey will ultimately have to strike.

Until then, we have you covered on all things Sixers and Simmons.