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Ben Simmons Rumors: Agent won’t let rookie play for 76ers this season

By Cody Williams

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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After news that he should only miss three months with a foot injury, 76ers rookie Ben Simmons’ agent reportedly won’t let him play at all this season

Ben Simmons was the clear-cut No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. When the Philadelphia 76ers won the draft lottery to get the top selection, it should have never been in doubt. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the forward out of LSU wanted to land in Los Angeles with the Lakers.  After suffering a foot injury at Sixers training camp less than a week ago, though, it would appear that Simmons at least may not be playing in Philadelphia this season.

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Yes, the reports are that Ben Simmons’ foot injury is only expected to keep him out of action for three months. However, there are rumors circulating that it may be more than the injury keeping him on the sideline. Specifically, Simmons agent—the famous Rich Paul—could keep him out for the rest of the year.

Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News (H/T ProBasketballTalk) spoke on the situation with 97.5 The Fanatic recently. While talking about the rookie, he said that there is a chance that Rich Paul won’t let his rookie client play in the 2016-17 season for the Sixers.

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To be fair, this isn’t all about the fact that Simmons was taken by the 76ers—though that seems to be the writing between the lines. However, this also has to do with the foot injury and how delicate that can be. Paul doesn’t want the versatile forward to rush back onto the floor and risk re-injuring the foot to the point that it could be a lingering issue for his career. And yes, the fact that it’s the Sixers probably doesn’t make him want to rush back onto the floor.

It’s worth noting that the Paul is pretty notorious around the league for not messing around with stuff like this. So while forcing Simmons to sit out a year seems drastic, it’s not out of the question. If there’s one agent who makes that type of thing happen, it’s Rich Paul. Thus, stay tuned as this story likely isn’t going anywhere.