Joel Embiid calls report of Simmons wanting out 'borderline disrespectful'

BasketballNews.com Staff
Sept 30 2021

Joel Embiid responded to reports that Ben Simmons does not want to play on the same team as him due to fit. Embiid disagrees, stating that he thinks the Sixers have catered to Simmons' playstyle a great deal.

"I feel our teams have been built [around Simmons], whether it's the shooting needed or stretch-five and all that stuff, I feel like he's always had it here," Embiid said. "And we still have it... It was kind of surprising to see. Even going back to, I mean, the reason we signed Al [Horford]. We got rid of Jimmy [Butler], which I still think was a mistake, just to make sure he needed the ball in his hands, and that's the decision they made.

"Like I said, it's surprising. But I'm really focused on the guys that are here. The situation is disappointing [and] borderline kind of disrespectful to all of the guys that are out here fighting for their lives. Some guys rely on the team being successful to stay in the league and make money somehow."

Source: Kyle Neubeck/The Philly Voice

ANALYSIS: Embiid is right that the team has prioritized Ben Simmons' fit at times, choosing to pay Simmons a max salary while letting Jimmy Butler walk.

The Sixers' starting lineup did feature four players with three-point percentages greater than 38%, though it was on a relatively low volume and the team was just 23rd in made threes last season.