On March 9, Beijing time, Simmons decided to go to Philadelphia with the team, will not participate in the game but will sit on the bench to watch the game, Nash personally confirmed, and said that Simmons wants to be with his teammates, New York reporter Brian Lewis said that Simmons will encounter Philadelphia fans.
The Nets will visit Philadelphia on Friday, the first time the Nets have played against the 76ers since a trade deadline, and speaking about Simmons' situation, Nash said: "Against Philadelphia, Simmons will be on the bench. He's a big boy, he'll be fine, and he wants to support his teammates on the bench; Nash also said Simmons wouldn't be naïve enough to think he wouldn't be booed.
Speaking about Simmons' decision to return to Philadelphia, Nash: That's good. He's on our team now and he needs to be with his teammates and get the whole thing that came before in Philadelphia a little bit past. Maybe this will never pass completely, but the first time it is always easy to deal with these things and look forward.
Nash also referred to Ade's injury, saying Ade has returned to Brooklyn, he has done MRI on the hip and he will miss at least 2 games.
Dragic knew the atmosphere in Philadelphia might be tense by then, but he said he didn't think there would be anything wrong with Simmons.
Commenting on Simmons' return to Philadelphia, Dragic said: "It may be unpleasant, for me it's the same as going back to Toronto, but that's the reality." We're all professional players and in the end there will only be boos on this day, so you just have to play and do your best to show yourself. But as long as nothing serious happens, don't throw things away, just verbally, I don't really care.
Previously, Dragic returned to Toronto wearing a Nets jersey, and the whole field was booed, as long as he took the ball, he was booed by Raptors fans.
According to Nick Friedell, Simmons has not yet been approved to train, and it's unclear when he will be able to start training.
The Nets' next official training is scheduled for Saturday in Brooklyn, and Nash said I don't think Simmons is ready to play five-on-five basketball, but he's recovering and exercising and he's going to be in Philadelphia with us for a few days of good recovery.
According to U.S. journalist Kyle Neubeck, Simmons and his representatives will soon file a complaint with the 76ers, and Simmons' expedition with the team is to lay the foundation for subsequent appeals; Simmons has been fined about $20 million this season for refusing to play for Philadelphia.
Previously, 76ers insiders revealed that the team would not play a tribute video for Simmons at home, but 76ers coach Rivers said Simmons should enjoy such a tribute.