On January 13, Beijing time, according to ESPN fame Wernaroski reported that Simmons' agent Rich Paul met with Philadelphia 76er executives today. Negotiations between the two sides have reached an impasse over the future of Simmons. As for simmons' deal, the 76ers have not lowered their prices, and they want to exchange Simmons for the league's top 25 stars.
Sources revealed that Simmons is not close to returning to the game, and the high price of the 76ers has not brought the star closer to leaving Philadelphia. According to another reporter Mo Mooncey, sources in the Simmons camp revealed that the teams he wanted to join were the Lone Rangers and Warriors of the West, but he realized that the Warriors were unlikely, and knew that Philadelphia was asking for a high price, worried that Philadelphia would not be able to send him away.
Rich Paul met with 76ers management at a restaurant in downtown Philadelphia, and while the process was described as friendly and professional, 76ers management reiterated the team's position that they would not trade Simmons unless they were rewarded with believing they had a chance to win the championship.
Sources also revealed that Rich Paul told the 76ers that Simmons' mental health problems will continue to hinder Simmons' return to playing at the 76ers, and that he still wants the team to trade him away.
Simmons, 25, previously signed a five-year, $177 million contract with the 76ers to not end until the 2024-25 season. He still faces a fine for missing games, although there have been previous reports that the 76ers have suspended his fine.
The 76ers, who lack Simmons, are doing well. They have won seven straight before today's game against the Hornets and are currently fifth in the East with 23 wins and 16 losses. However, the outside world believes that without Simmons, this team's playoff prospects are not optimistic, and they will have a hard time beating the elite teams in the East.
Sources said the 76ers' trade target is the league's top 25 stars, and from the current deal negotiations, players at this level have no chance of coming to the 76ers for the time being. Some teams described the 76ers' asking price for Simmons as "not falling but rising."