Sixers coach Doc Rivers needs Ben Simmons to remain

FILE–Head coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers speaks with Ben Simmons. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Photos/AFP (Photograph by Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Photos by way of AFP)

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers confirmed Wednesday that unsettled guard Ben Simmons had requested a transfer from the membership — however insisted the Sixers need the Australian star to stay with the franchise.

Reviews on Tuesday mentioned Simmons had knowledgeable the Sixers that he deliberate to successfully go on strike by refusing to turn up for pre-season training except he was granted a transfer.

Sixers coach Rivers confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday that Simmons had requested a commerce throughout a gathering in August.

“It was a great dialog,” Rivers mentioned. “He gave his causes which we clearly didn’t agree with.”

Nevertheless, Rivers maintains the Sixers need to persuade the 25-year-old former No.1 draft decide that he remained a part of the staff’s plans.

“In sports activities there’s been so many occasions this has occurred that hasn’t been reported, and the man comes again,” Rivers mentioned.

“We’re going to all the time do what’s greatest for the staff, however I can inform you up entrance we’d like to get Ben again. And if we will, we’re going to attempt to try this. , Ben has a protracted contract. So it’s in our fingers and we wish him again.”

Simmons’ future in Philadelphia has been the topic of hypothesis because the staff lost a decisive Game 7 to Atlanta in final season’s playoffs, with Simmons’s offensive output shriveling within the essential closing quarter.

That led to Rivers questioning whether or not Simmons may very well be a championship-winning level guard.

Rivers steered on Wednesday nevertheless that the questions over Simmons’ offensive output in stress conditions have been over-stated.

“We’re not going to surrender on Ben,” Rivers mentioned. “I miss him, I’ve all the time defended him. I simply love how he performs and numerous issues that he does for the staff.

“Sadly we’ve centered a lot on his offense and we don’t deal with numerous different issues he does. We have been one sport away from the Japanese finals final yr. No-one picked us to be the place we have been at.”

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