This 76ers season has been clouded with intrigue since before it began. While Ben Simmons and Rich Paul have done everything in their power to make sure the people of Philadelphia were miserable, there have been some questions about who is to blame. Does it fall on Ben Simmons for refusing to play, or Rich Paul for massively overplaying his hand and not getting his client to honor his contract?

Rich Paul’s relationship with Adele may provide some clues as to who to blame.

Adele signed a massive contract to perform a series of concerts in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace and apparently there have been some issues lately. Via Page Six:

“When Adele announced on Instagram last Thursday that she was postponing her hotly anticipated Las Vegas residency only 24 hours before the first show, the 33-year-old wept as she told fans “my show ain’t ready.”

But the drama behind the scenes was apparently even more intense.

Sources told Page Six that the singer was “shouting and sobbing” on the phone to Rich Paul, her sports agent boyfriend of six months, during rehearsals.”

What do you know? Rich Paul gets involved with a superstar and the next thing you know they can’t perform. Talk about a coincidence. This isn’t the first sign of trouble in paradise for the two. But it does seem like the ship may be about to go down in flames.

To me this pretty clearly answers the question as who is to blame in the Ben Simmons saga. Rich Paul is running around breaking hearts with total disregard for who he hurts. Doesn’t matter if that is Adele or the 1.5 million residents of Philadelphia.

Rich Paul crossing Adele may work to the Sixers’ benefit.

This may actually present an opportunity for the Sixers to strike now and take advantage of Paul being distracted. If you’re familiar with Adele’s work you’d know that she’s likely in the process of writing a series of hit singles about how horrible he is, both as a lover and as a man. Imagine how existentially terrifying it is to know you’re about to get roasted at the top of the international pop charts.

If you’ve ever read The Art of War, you’ll know Sun Tsu says : “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”

Can you fathom a situation more chaotic than Adele screaming and crying at you on the phone while her Vegas deal implodes? Daryl Morey would be a fool not to be seeking out Rich Paul in the early morning hours, badgering him with trade proposals in an attempt to weaken his resolve. Maybe leave a voicemail with Skyfall playing if he doesn’t pick up. There’s a lot of options on the table.

With the news that James Harden wants out of Brooklyn, there may be an easy solution to the Ben Simmons problem at hand for Rich Paul. This would free him up to deal with his other problem. The problem with millions of fans, and posting videos of herself crying on the internet. The time has come for Rich Paul  to set fire to the rain, and say “hello” to a Simmons deal that benefits the Sixers. 

Mandatory Credit: AP Photo