SIMMONS WON’T REPORT TO CAMP, ESPN SAYS

Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons will not report for the start of training camp next week and intends to never play another game for the team, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The three-time all-star point guard has not spoken to team officials since last month and appears determined to force the Sixers to find a trade partner, per the report.

Simmons, 25, could be fined and/or suspended if he skips training camp, which opens on Sept. 28.

His relationship with the franchise soured during the 2021 NBA playoffs. The 76ers, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, lost to the Atlanta Hawks in seven games in the second round.

Simmons is a talented playmaker and defender, but his inability — or unwillingness — to take shots proved costly during the series with the Hawks. He also drew criticism for his performance at the foul line. He made just 34.2 per cent of his attempts (25 of 73) in 12 playoff games after shooting 61.3 per cent during the regular season.

The No. 1 overall pick in 2016, Simmons has started all 275 games he has played in four NBA seasons, all with the 76ers. He owns career averages of 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game.

Simmons has four years left on a five-year, US$177.2 million max contract extension he signed in July 2019. His base salary for the 202122 season is US$33 million, per Spotrac.