The Ben Simmons trade saga was a total mess after a summer (and fall, and winter) during which it felt a new report or rumbling came to light every single day.
How did we get here? When did this all start? And how many twists and turns did the insane back-and-forth take before the Feb. 10 trade to the Brooklyn Nets?
Let's run the entire thing back, starting in the early days of 2021.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
January: The Sixers try to trade Simmons for James Harden
This thing really begins when the Sixers try to move Simmons at the 2021 NBA trade deadline to Houston for a disgruntled James Harden. The Sixers have Simmons on the table in trade discussions, and are reportedly extremely close to making a deal.
Ultimately Harden goes to Brooklyn instead and Simmons remains in Philly, but it's hard to not think a player could harbor some kind of hurt feelings after being floated in a trade.
June 20: The Game 7 meltdown
This moment really kicked off the hard feelings era.
Simmons has a brutal series against the Hawks in the second round, culminating in his decision to pass to Matisse Thybulle instead of taking a wide-open dunk over Trae Young in the fourth quarter. The Sixers go on to lose the decisive game, at home, and afterwards both Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid have interesting comments that were taken by many as somewhat pointed towards Simmons' disappointing play.
June 22: Daryl Morey dodges questions about Simmons' future
Two days after the Sixers' playoff exit, Daryl Morey holds a season-ending press conference where he's asked straight up if the Sixers would consider trading Simmons if the right deal popped up, and Morey does not give a straight "no" answer. Never a good sign!
NBA
June 24: Morey and Elton Brand meet Rich Paul in Chicago
The Sixers' top decision makers reportedly meets with Simmons' agent, Rich Paul, in Chicago around the time of the NBA draft combine. From ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski:
"Paul engaged the Sixers on whether it makes sense to work together to find a trade before the start of next season, but no request was made and the sides are expected to continue talking ahead of the July 29 NBA draft and August free agency."
This account was slightly disputed later by Morey, who said Simmons' camp did indeed request a trade in Chicago:
"They came to us and asked for a trade shortly after the season, his representatives, in Chicago. We were not looking to trade him."
In any case, it seems that just four days after the playoff exit both sides know some sort of split is likely in the cards.
June 30: Woj reports the Sixers want to trade Simmons before training camp
This is the first time we got some sort of time frame on a possible Simmons deal. Woj reports the front office wanted to move Simmons before training camp, which makes sense: get a clean break before you start a new year.
As we all know, this did not happen.
July 1: Sixers turn their attention to a Damian Lillard trade
If the Sixers are going to trade Simmons, this is the first inclination at what their hopeful return will be. The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reports that Morey & Co. are hoping for a shot at Damian Lillard.
In the next few months, their reported asking price for Simmons will be higher than any team is willing to pay. The fact that their first target was Lillard should make that unsurprising.
July 20: Simmons returns to social media for first time since Game 7
One month after Game 7, Simmons returns to social media on his 25th birthday. In his Instagram post he vaguely acknowledges the criticism he received after the playoffs and his need to improve while also standing firm in his convictions:
"Reflecting back I've experienced some amazing highs and with that, some of the lowest lows. Life's a journey.. I'll always remain relentless and remain human through it all. Here's to my 25 year."
Aug. 9: Simmons posts videos of himself shooting threes in a gym
In an ill-fated decision, Simmons decides to post videos of himself shooting three-pointers in pick-up games from the summer, a time-honored tradition that always results in him refusing to shoot any kind of jump shot in actual games during the following NBA season.
He is rightly roasted for the videos.
Aug. 17: Timberwolves noted as being "persistent" in Simmons talks
One team seems to be particularly aggressive in Simmons talks over the summer, and that's the Minnesota Timberwolves, per Woj:
"Minnesota is one team that's been persistent with Philadelphia, but they've needed to have, really, third and even fourth teams in those kinds of deals to get back to Philly what it would want."
Aug. 31: Simmons tells Sixers brass he wants out in LA meeting
A bombshell!
Keith Pompey of the Inquirer reports that Simmons met with Morey, Brand, and Rivers in Los Angeles and told them he wants out:
"In a meeting with the 76ers last week in Los Angeles, Simmons told team co-managing partner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, general manager Elton Brand and coach Doc Rivers that he no longer wants to remain a Sixer, according to multiple sources."
This feels like the ultimate no-turning-back moment of the summer.
Sept. 8: Lillard seems to end any trade buzz
If the Sixers are going to pull off a trade before training camp (which they ultimately won't), it won't be for Lillard, who by September seems locked in to at least one more year in Portland.
Sept. 21: 5 teams reportedly still in Simmons talks with Sixers
Minnesota is still pushing for Simmons, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, along with the Raptors, Cavaliers, Spurs, and Kings. These are the five teams that have been most consistently linked to the Simmons discussions all summer long, and as of mid-September they were all still interested.
Sept. 25: Simmons cancels Sixers teammate meeting in LA
Another bombshell!
Joel Embiid and other Sixers teammates were planning on flying to Los Angeles to meet with Simmons and try to bridge the gap in person:
"Simmons reportedly told them to not waste their time, because he's not coming back."
Bridges burned!
Sept. 29: Insiders report Simmons will sit "all year" if he has to
How long is Simmons, who at this point is extremely dug into his "never going back" stance, willing to hold out?
ESPN insider Ramona Shelburne suggests the 25-year-old could sit an entire season:
"Ben Simmons is willing to sit as long as it takes, too. When you talk to people close to Ben, and I say, 'Worse case scenario it takes all year, will he sit all year?' And the answer right now is, 'Yes.'"
It's hard to imagine a player giving up that much money and that many games during his athletic prime, but Simmons at this point seems steadfast in his refusal to return to Philly. Pretty wild.
Oct. 1: Sixers withhold Simmons' salary check
The Sixers flex their CBA-outlined financial muscles as Simmons refuses to show up for training camp or preseason games, and keep Simmons' money.
From PhillyVoice's Kyle Neubeck:
"The Sixers are expected to withhold payment to Ben Simmons worth 25% of his salary — payment valued at over $8 million.
"[...]
"In the event that Simmons shows up to Philadelphia, as many with the team have said they expect to happen at some point, that money will eventually make its way to Simmons' bank account."
It's easy to talk big when the money is abstract. Now it's concrete - and it's not in Simmons' pocket.
Oct. 6: Simmons reportedly puts Center City condo on the market
Another sign that Simmons is serious about severing all ties with Philadelphia, the star reportedly puts his condo at the Ritz-Carlton in Center City up for sale.
Simmons has another residence in South Jersey, so if he comes back he still has a place to live (and a nice place at that), but this is certainly a real deal move.
Oct. 11: Sixers, Simmons working on potential return to Philly
SHARP LEFT TURN.
Simmons, once so entrenched that he was willing to skip an entire NBA season, is reportedly in talks with the Sixers about a return, according to Woj:
"He has become more open to the possibility of ending his time away from the team and reporting to Philadelphia, sources said."
Funny how things change once the money starts being withheld.
Oct. 11, continued: Simmons returns to Philly
Welp, that was fast!
The same day that reports surfaced of Simmons and his camp working towards a return to Philly... the guy returns to Philly.
And not only does he return to Philly, he arrives at the Wells Fargo Center - unannounced! - while the Sixers are playing a preseason game against the Nets to take a COVID-19 test:
"Rivers said it "sounds like" Simmons will be at practice once he clears COVID protocols, but he didn't have anything definitive to offer on that subject.
"Wojnarowski reported the Sixers were unaware Simmons was flying into Philadelphia on Monday."
This legitimately does not feel like a real story at this point.
Oct. 19: Practice drama!
Simmons returns to Sixers practice and is, against all odds, scheduled to speak with reporters afterwards... except, minutes before that scheduled availability, reports emerge of Simmons being KICKED OUT OF PRACTICE by Doc Rivers and suspended for a game.
Rivers' explanation:
"I just thought he was a distraction today. I didn’t think he wanted to do what everybody else was doing. It was early (in practice). It wasn’t a big deal. I just told him he should leave then, and we went on with practice."
Unreal.
And then, in post-practice availability, Joel Embiid unleashes an all-time quote about Simmons' foolishness:
We've officially reached Real Housewives of Philadelphia status.
Oct. 21: Simmons ditches workout
Two days after being kicked out of practice, Simmons showed up at the Sixers' Camden facility and was expected to participate in an individual workout, but left the facility after receiving treatment for what he called back tightness despite being cleared by team doctors to participate in the workout.
Odd timing.
Oct. 21, continued: Simmons isn't mentally ready to play
Here's a more likely explanation: Simmons reportedly told the Sixers' front office he isn't "mentally ready" to play for the team after the turbulent offseason, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Considering Charania's closeness with Klutch Sports, this message is likely coming from Simmons' camp.
Simmons said after Game 7 that he needed to get mentally right this offseason, and at this point it seems he still hasn't reached that point. Sixers fans can be mad at Simmons for a number of things, but mental health should be taken seriously.
Nov. 8: Sixers had Simmons talks with Celtics?!
After things quieted a bit to start the season following the mental health discussions, an explosive rumor from Charania turned everything upside down once again: the Sixers reportedly talked with the Boston Celtics about a Simmons trade.
The talks didn't garner a ton of traction, and more than a month later we aren't any closer to a deal between the two teams.
But the idea of trading a much-maligned malcontent to the Sixers' most-hated rivals? That's one spicy meatball.
Nov. 12: Rich Paul speaks
Rich Paul, Simmons' agent, says in a story by Charania that he believes the Sixers disciplining Simmons for being away from the team is hurting Simmons' road to being mentally prepared to play:
"I truly believe the fines, the targeting, the negative publicity shined on the issue — that’s very unnecessary and has furthered the mental health issues for Ben. Either you help Ben, or come out and say he’s lying. Which one is it?"
Definitely a public perception play here by Paul. Some have been skeptical of Simmons' camp and their motives in claiming mental health issues, considering a seemingly convenient stipulation in the CBA that explicitly notes players can't be fined for missing practices and games if they're dealing with mental health issues.
Things are contentious once again.
Dec. 6: Damian Lillard wants to play with Ben (?)
A little more than a month and a half into the season, things aren't going well for the Portland Trailblazers and Damian Lillard's future is once again a topic of discussion.
A story from Charania cites sources who say Lillard has expressed a desire to play with Simmons. Is that in Philly? Is that in Portland? Who knows?
What we do know is it feels like the beginning of trade chatter season as we approach the Dec. 15 date when players who signed contracts during the offseason become eligible to be traded.
Maybe this thing can finally, finally end.
Dec. 10: Trade talks are back
Woj reports that the Sixers' trade talks with teams around the league are "gathering momentum" as we near Dec. 15, but Lillard likely won't be part of any deal:
"The Sixers and Blazers connected in recent days and Portland interim general manager Joe Cronin made clear to Philadelphia that the franchise still plans to continue building around Lillard, sources said.
"Nevertheless, the Sixers are becoming more engaged on multiple fronts in talks centered on Simmons. Philadelphia has been aggressively trying to assemble two- and three-team deal structures to land a package that would include a top 25-level player, sources said."
Is it go time?
Dec. 14: 'Whispers' of a Harden-Sixers trade are back: report
The first inklings of a possible James Harden reunion with Daryl Morey emerge via Bleacher Report insider Jake Fischer:
"If a strong enough deal for Simmons never comes Philadelphia's way this season, there have been ongoing whispers about a free-agency sign-and-trade for Simmons that would allow Harden to join forces with Embiid, and rejoin Daryl Morey.
"For now, Brooklyn stands atop the Eastern Conference, and moving Harden for Simmons makes little sense for Sean Marks’ braintrust, especially as Kyrie Irving remains inactive."
Dec. 17: Execs think Rockets, Kings, or T-Wolves get Simmons
Reporting from ESPN's Brian Windhorst, who was plugged in on the Harden buzz in the end, suggests the Sixers are probably trading Simmons to Houston, Sacramento, or Minnesota because of Daryl Morey's connections to those front offices:
Dec. 26: The Cavaliers are a 'team to watch'
Cleveland has been bizarrely good in the wide-open Eastern Conference this season, and as they looked to beef up before the trade deadline it suddenly seemed they could be a dark horse option for Simmons, according to Wojnarowski:
"Here's an interesting team to watch: the Cleveland Cavaliers, who before they went on this really incredible start to the season, had been engaged with Philly on Simmons."
Jan. 5: Kings back in the hunt for Simmons?
The Kings have been a big player in the Simmons market basically for as long as it's existed, and while things cooled off between the two organizations at one point, a desperate Sacramento team sounds once again interested in Ben's services.
Via The Athletic's Sam Amick:
"While I reported in early September that a Kings-Simmons was looking very unlikely, that was long before team officials had a chance to see nearly half a season’s worth of (mostly subpar) play. Sacramento’s interest is definitely there."
Jan. 11: Tobias Harris part of a Simmons deal?
Tobias Harris' 2021-22 season has been a pretty clear step down from where his borderline All-Star play was the year before, and Daryl Morey is looking for ways to offload his pricey contract ahead of the deadline - both to get off that money, and to clear space for James Harden.
Morey apparently approached the Atlanta Hawks during trade talks with a crazy idea, according to ESPN's Marc Spears, and said if they want Ben Simmons, they've gotta also take Tobias Harris:
"SPEARS: I think it's a long shot, and it's not because of Ben. It's because I'm hearing that they want to include Tobias Harris.
Jan. 17: Harden is Morey's new focus
Forget those other teams - the Kings, the Cavs, the Timberwolves, all of them. The new buzz? Daryl Morey is entirely locked in on trading for James Harden.
Via insider Marc Stein:
"Executives with a growing number of rival teams say they see Morey's new preferred scenario: Keeping Simmons beyond the trade deadline to exhaust every last possibility for executing a complicated sign-and-trade in the offseason that finally brings James Harden to Philadelphia and routes Simmons to Brooklyn."
Jan. 26: Kendrick Perkins says Harden wants to join Embiid
Clear out, y'all: we've got a Perk Bomb.
Kendrick Perkins, who played with Harden on the championship-contending Thunder teams, says he's heard from Harden's camp that the Nets star wants out - and that he wants to play with Joel Embiid in Philadelphia.
Pretty big development 15 days before the trade deadline!
Feb. 9: After growing buzz, Sixers and Nets enter 'deal zone'
The rumors have been slowly burning over the past week and a half about a possible James Harden-for-Ben Simmons swap, but there is no clear path to the deal...
UNTIL!
We've got news from ESPN's Brian Windhorst that the Sixers and Nets have entered "the deal zone" just one day before the trade deadline. All the hopes and dreams are suddenly elevated. Is this really going to happen?
Feb. 10: James Harden is a Sixer
James Harden is a Sixer. Ben Simmons is on the Nets. It finally happened. Unbelievable.
***
So here we are. I've been tracking this thing all summer and fall and nearly through the entire winter, and I feel like I might've lost some brain cells along the way, so if I forgot a key development please reach out and let me know.
This was, undoubtedly, one of the dumbest developments in recent NBA history. Thanks for riding it out with me for literally seven months. What a world.