Ben Simmons meets Sixers to end two-month silent treatment

Ben Simmons has reportedly held a meeting behind the scenes in Philadelphia, ending two months of frosty radio silence.

Guess who’s back. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

Ben Simmons has spoken to Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers for the first time in two months.

A report from Philadelphia claims the Australian star met with his coach and general manager Daryl Morey in secret on Wednesday (AEST).

It followed reports Simmons had blindsided his team when he showed up at the team’s Wells Fargo Centre stadium to have a Covid-19 test — the first step of completing the NBA’s biosecurity protocols. He will be able to join teammates for training once he satisfies the protocol demands.

The report from NBC sports presenter John Clark indicated Simmons also conducted a physical assessment with staff.

Simmons’ motives behind the move remain unclear. The world will have to wait at least one week to learn if Simmons intends to suit up for the team.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Simmons isn’t able to return to the team for five days under the Covid-19 protocols. He is not expected to be available for the team’s final pre-season game in Detroit on Saturday (AEDT).

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His meeting with Rivers came after the coach admitted in his post-match press conference following his team’s win over Brooklyn on Tuesday that he hadn’t spoken to the 25-year-old.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the break down of communication dates back to late August when Simmons informed his team’s senior officials, including Rivers, that he wanted to be traded.

All Star teammate Joel Embiid also spoke to the press after the game on Tuesday and said he is also yet to speak to Simmons.

Embiid said it was good for the team for Simmons to be back. He also said he hasn’t spoken to the Australian since they were eliminated from the playoffs in June.

Embiid said he had tried to speak to Simmons, but has been unsuccessful.

“I personally haven’t talked to him since the season ended,” he said.

“I tried, but I wasn’t as successful as a lot of my teammates have been. Like I said, it’s unfortunate the whole situation happened, but, like I said, we’re a better team with him on the floor.

“I think there’s going to be some adjustments, but it doesn’t need to be awkward.

“We’re all professionals. We want to win. I want to win. He gives me the best chance to win so that’s what I’m gonna go with.”

Earlier, Rivers joked he would need to speak with Wojnarowski to check where he sat with Simmons.

Joel Simmons spoke at length about Ben Simmons.

He again re-iterated that he would love to have Simmons back.

Wojnarowski earlier reported the details of Simmons return and the negotiations that had taken place between the Sixers and Simmons’ agent Rich Paul.

Simmons has previously made it clear he wants nothing more to do with the team.

The report details the Sixers will continue to pursue a potential trade for Simmons, but that comes after months of the team failing to attract any desirable trade offers from rival teams.

It had been reported previously Simmons would be prepared to sit out the entire season if a trade couldn’t be organised — but he appears to have changed his tune.

Rivers addressed the media after a practice session and was quizzed about Simmons’ relationship with other 76ers stars and what his attitude would be like should he rejoin them on the court.

“Players don’t get involved with people’s business. That is the one thing that I think is probably overplayed more than anything,” Rivers said.

“I’ve been a player when this has happened before and I was a player that has done it before and other than that first 10 minutes of welcoming back and taking the c**p from your teammates about missing camp and stuff, guys wanna win.

“I’m not (worried about Simmons’ attitude). I’m not, honestly. We’ve been around this before, haven’t we?

“We really have in different ways. My guess is when, if he comes, I think he’ll be ready to play.”

A return is on the cards. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Simmons has tried his best to force the Sixers’ hand even though he still has four years and $AUD200m remaining on his deal. He refused to show up for pre-season camp and didn’t appear in Philly’s first practice match against Toronto last week.

It was reported Simmons has been fined an approximate total of more than $1 million after he missed another pre-season game on Tuesday.

The Sixers have played hardball and kept a disgruntled Simmons on their books because they haven’t been able to agree to adequate trade terms with another team. They want a bona-fide star in return for their three-time All-Star but rivals haven’t been willing to cough up a package that satisfies Philadelphia bosses.

It doesn’t help that Simmons’ trade value was hurt by his offensive woes in last season’s playoffs defeat to Atlanta — the catalyst for the Aussie wanting out of the City of Brotherly Love.

Comments by Rivers and Embiid questioning Simmons in the wake of that playoffs defeat — when the 25-year-old’s shooting frailties were in the spotlight — reportedly hurt the former No. 1 draft pick and played a part in him seeking a trade away from the only NBA team he’s known.