‘We want Lillard’: Philadelphia 76ers fans chant for Ben Simmons trade

The Philadelphia 76ers fans made their desires abundantly clear during Tuesday’s NBA game — Aussie Ben Simmons needs to go.

Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers. Photo by Barry Gossage / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP

The Philadelphia 76ers fans have made their desires abundantly clear — Ben Simmons needs to go.

Simmons and the 76ers have been at loggerheads ever since the game seven Eastern Conference semi-final clash last season, when Philadelphia placed all the blame at the Aussie’s feet.

It led to Simmons demanding a trade, and the stand-off has been dominating the league media all off-season.

And Sixers fans have had enough.

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During Tuesday’s 113-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia fans at the Wells Fargo Center were heard chanting Damian Lillard’s name, seemingly calling for a trade between the six-time NBA All-Star and the disgruntled Simmons, who is yet to make an appearance for Philadelphia this season.

As Simmons continues to drive down his trade value, a swap with the Trail Blazers point guard seems incredibly unlikely.

"We want Lillard" chants in Philly 👀 pic.twitter.com/23ZQujuGaJ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 1, 2021

Simmons still has four years remaining in his $US168 million ($A225 million) contract.

The 25-year-old recently told teammates that he was not “prepared mentally” to play before it was revealed he had been seeing a mental health professional for several months.

But Simmons then set tongues wagging earlier this week when he was seen on an exercise bike at the Sixers shootaround.

While the sighting sparked belief that Simmons return wasn’t far away, 76ers coach Doc Rivers said that he still wasn’t sure when his star would return.

“I have no idea, honestly. I stay out of it,” Rivers told reporters.

“My job is to coach the guys who are here and then believe that the guys that are on the team will play someday. That’s all I have to be as a coach. So, I don’t get caught up in all the stuff, you know, the clutter, I guess you can say it is. I try to stay out of that as much as I can. I do talk to Rich quite a bit, but it’s more on a personal level.”

He said that Simmons had been “working out” and did shooting and skills work with assistant Spencer Rivers, but appeared to be taking it easy on the exercise bike.

“He’s been engaged and things like that which is good,” he added.

Ben Simmons is yet to make an appearance this season. Photo by Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

76ers star Andre Drummond contributed 14 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and five steals on Tuesday, while Boomers favourite Matisse Thybulle had two points and three steals.

Lillard meanwhile finished with a double-double — 20 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

Australian centre Jock Landale, who spent less than six minutes on the court, managed 10 points, one rebound and one assist.

Philadelphia will next face the Chicago Bulls on Thursday AEDT at 10am.