76ers’ Daryl Morey won’t give Ben Simmons away: ‘Buckle in’

It’s officially a standoff betwixt Ben Simmons and the 76ers — and Philadelphia isn’t getting acceptable to buckle.

In an interview connected 97.5 The Fanatic, Sixers president of hoops operations Daryl Morey said the squad volition either get Simmons to play for Philadelphia oregon get a “difference-maker” backmost successful a trade.

And, due to the fact that Simmons has tanked his commercialized value, they can’t get a large portion for him close now.

“You’re gonna deliberation I’m kidding. I’m not,” Morey said, per NBC Sports Philadelphia. “This could beryllium 4 years.”

There are 4 years near connected Simmons’ existent declaration with an AAV somewhat northbound of $35 million, according to Spotrac. He won’t play successful the Sixers’ location opener Friday owed to what has been reported arsenic backmost issues aft helium was suspended for their archetypal game against the Pelicans. Simmons had refused enactment successful practice, resulting successful manager Doc Rivers throwing him out.

Daryl Morey and Ben Simmons. Getty Images; AP

“People should buckle in,” Morey said, according to SI’s Chris Mannix. “This is going to spell for a agelong time.”

Ultimately, the analytically driven Morey believes that getting escaped of the distraction caused by Simmons isn’t worthy hurting the team’s playoff odds. Simmons, by his caller actions, seems determined to trial the team’s condemnation for everything it’s worth. He’s publically demanded a commercialized and sat retired grooming camp. And present who knows however agelong helium could beryllium retired with these vaguely defined backmost issues.

All of this Simmons play comes connected the heels of a mediocre playoff show that saw his squad get upset by the Hawks successful the 2nd round.

“Would you alternatively destruct what radical comprehend to beryllium a distraction, oregon would you alternatively person amended playoff odds?” Morey said, according to The Athletic. “I’ll instrumentality playoff odds.

“Whatever we person to woody with that helps the Philadelphia 76ers triumph the title, we’ll bash it.”