Ben Simmons sends a message to 76ers as break-up turns bitter

The extent of the bad blood between Ben Simmons and the 76ers has been laid bare by his unforgiving message as he prepares to split.

Ben Simmons wants out of Philadelphia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Ben Simmons’ impending break-up with the 76ers is becoming more bitter by the day as the Australian makes it clear he has no interest staying in Philadelphia.

Simmons wants out after copping a barrage of criticism for his lacklustre performances in last season’s Eastern Conference semi-finals against Atlanta, where his unwillingness to shoot was on full display.

Kayo is your ticket to the best local and international sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now >

Sixers teammate Joel Embiid threw Simmons under the bus and coach Doc Rivers said he didn’t know whether the 25-year-old point guard was able to lead the franchise to a championship.

Simmons is seeking a trade but Philly wants to make sure it’s properly compensated before letting him go. There was talk the former No. 1 draft pick’s trade value plummeted after his playoffs flop, while rivals would be less inclined to offer up too much in return for Simmons because they know both he and the 76ers want to split.

NBA reporter Brian Windhorst told ESPN Simmons has sent a blunt message to the Sixers that he has no interest in driving his trade value up so they can receive something juicy in return in the way of players and draft picks if they part ways.

“One of the messages that Ben has sent back towards Philly is that it’s not his job to fix his trade value,” Windhorst said on The Jump.

“It’s not his job to correct his trade value or raise his trade value. That is not something that’s on the menu for him.

“I don’t think he’s interested in coming in and trying to change the situation.”

Ben Simmons isn’t trusting the process anymore. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP)

Earlier this week it was reported Simmons is so desperate to end his time in Philadelphia, he’s “prepared” to be fined up to $1.3 million for skipping the Sixers’ pre-season training camp.

But that won’t worry him too much. According to Windhorst, Simmons will receive half of his $US33 million salary — that’s $AUD45 million, half of which is $AUD22.5 million — on October 1, so he won’t be shy of cash.

Windhorst said Simmons could use the “war chest” to cope with any financial penalties sent his way should the Sixers try and punish him before a trade is done.

Reports in US media are suggesting Simmons wants to play in California, while Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer says there is too much bad blood between Simmons and the 76ers to maintain that relationship.

“There are teams that are interested in Ben Simmons, they just don’t want to pay the steep price,” Pompey said.

“Ben Simmons knows that, so they are saying why should we help the 76ers out when they feel like when Doc Rivers said what he said, nobody apologised, and Doc was never reprimanded.”

Pompey said on Philadelphia radio he has been told by a Western Conference chief executive: “Think about three months ago when the Sixers are willing to give up Ben Simmons. You are like, ‘Let’s see what we have to do to get him’.

“Now, the difference is Ben Simmons says he refuses to play for the Sixers. He wants to go to three California teams. There’s so much bad blood between him and the team.

“The kid said he’s not going back. I’m not giving you what you’re demanding. They really messed this up.”