[Marks] In mid-August, 76ers met with Simmons & Rich Paul. 76ers told Simmons they couldn’t find a deal & hoped to put aside differences. Simmons told them he didn’t want to play for the team again & if he wasn’t traded by the end of the month he didn’t intend to come to training camp, sources said.

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[Source](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32135075/everything-know-know-ben-simmons-philadelphia-76ers-their-trade-impasse)

>Shortly after that ugly Game 7 loss, and following a discussion between management and Simmons’ representation, both sides agreed to look for a trade as the draft and free agency approached. Over the ensuing weeks, the Sixers had talks with numerous teams, sources said, and several made what they believed were legitimate offers.

>It became clear the Sixers’ asking price for Simmons was steep; Philly was looking for a premium return whether it was a star player, multiple first-round picks or both.

>After the transaction season ended in mid-August, owner Joshua Harris and 76ers management flew to Los Angeles to meet with Simmons and agent Rich Paul. The Sixers intended to tell Simmons they couldn’t find a deal for him and hoped to put aside differences and enter the season on the same page, sources said.

>Simmons, however, was steadfast, telling Harris he didn’t want to play for the team again and that if he wasn’t traded by the end of the month he didn’t intend to come to training camp, sources said.

>The point was made that it wasn’t Simmons’ responsibility to increase his trade value, and that the Sixers should find the best possible trade and execute it now, rather than wait for a strong start to the season to increase his value.

 

>Expect the NBA to step in if Simmons does not report and the 76ers do not penalize him financially with a suspension. The last thing the league can afford is a precedent of players under contract not reporting for training camp.

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