Sidelined Australian NBA star Ben Simmons' agent has reportedly had a brief meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers while the club is said to have raised the price of demand.
All-Star guard Simmons hasn't played throughout the season after seeking a trade during the off-season, with the 76ers (23–16) firm that any deal shipping Simmons from Philly is a similar caliber in return. The player must bring
With the NBA trade deadline a month away, ESPN reports that the 76ers' president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and general manager Elton Brand settled with Simmons' agent Rich Paul.
Sources told ESPN that the meeting took place at a Philadelphia restaurant and Morey informed Paul that any trade should improve the 76ers.
ESPN reported that Simmons, 25, still has no interest in returning to the team, and is being heavily fined during his absence, which he said involved mental health.
"If you talk to some of the teams that have continued to work with the Sixers on Ben Simmons for months, they'll tell you that Philly's asking price has gone up even more," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said.
"There would be an idea that as they get closer to the deadline they start coming back to Earth to get what they're asking for.
"It hasn't happened so I think it's showing that Philly is determined to bring back a difference-maker for him."
Simmons' agent Paul, CEO of Clutch Sports, sat on the edge of the court to beat the 76ers 109-98 at home on Wednesday night, ending a six-game seven-game winning streak.
He probably heard a fan shout, "Yo, Rich Paul, get Ben Simmons out of Philly!"
Coach Doc Rivers addressed the upcoming draft deadline before the game.
"We have Ben Cheese," said Rivers. "I'm sure there will be some crazy rumours. There's not much I can do about it. But there may be more than usual. If that's the case, you've got to deal with it. You've got to deal with it, my guess."
Rivers said Simmons continues to visit the Sixers' training facility in New Jersey.
"Hopefully sooner or later we will have an answer."