Ben Simmons is a coward. According to Shams Charania, several 76ers players wanted to go to Los Angeles this week to meet with their disgruntled teammate but were told that he did not want to meet with them. Simmons has been attempting to demand a trade out of Philadelphia despite four years remaining on his contract.

The group was headlined by Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, and Matisse Thybulle alongside others, but Ben Simmons has mentally checked out of being a member of the 76ers. How does a player who is contractually a member of the organization for several more seasons not show up to training camp, list preferred destinations, and now not speak to anyone part of the team? 

“The core leaders on the 76ers — such as Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle — and most of the team were set to take a jet to see Simmons before being turned away, sources said.”

This report also comes after Joel Embiid publicly defended Simmons on Twitter amidst trade rumors. Matisse Thybulle also defended Ben Simmons on J.J. Redick’s podcast just yesterday. The entire franchise is going to bat for him, and he is acting like such a primadonna when nobody in the NBA is on his side.

Minnesota and Cleveland have reportedly ramped up their efforts to acquire Simmons, but Daryl Morey should wait as long as needed until the right trade comes along. After Simmons has pulled this stunt, there is no need to let him get his way so quickly.

Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Inquirer