NBA Insider Chris Broussard feels Ben Simmons’ situation at Philadelphia is similar to James Harden’s during his time at Houston Rockets

Ben Simmons has been targeted ever since the Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs last season. Simmons failed to aid Joel Embiid and that result in the Sixers getting knocked out. Despite the potential in the Australian guard to be a big star, Philly fans want to trade him out this offseason.

Some experts have drawn similarities of this situation with James’ Harden’s departure from the Houston Rockets. Just like Harden, Simmons is also throwing tantrums as he also wants to move out of Philadelphia ahead of the new NBA season.

Recently NBA insider Chris Broussard shared his perspective on the whole scenario involving Simmons and the Sixers front office. The Australian point guard wanted to leave the franchise after the Philadelphia 76ers were defeated by the Atalanta Hawks last season. Simmons was fiercely trolled by the Philly fans after his below-par performances last season especially in the playoffs. Hence he showed great desire to leave the franchise this offseason. Hence Chris Broussard discusses the problems that the Sixers could face with Simmons on their team.

“There is talk that Ben Simmons wants out of Philadelphia just as much as they want to trade him.

“And that he’s not even returning anybody’s calls within the organization. And there is news that he even won’t go to training camp, that’s how badly he wants out. If there is truth to this noise then you do have to move him.”

“I get that not wanting to trade him for less than they should get for, but you don’t want him going into training camp when you got designs getting to the NBA finals and if he goes into training camp and is disgruntled and just brings everybody down with his attitude, it almost becomes like a James Harden situation in Houston last year,” said Broussard.

The 25-year-old came to Philadelphia harbouring hopes of being the next big thing in the NBA. However, currently, those hopes have derailed as he wants to move out of the franchise. Similar to the situation when James Harden wanted to leave the Houston Rockets and threw tantrums at the franchise. He wanted to join the Brooklyn Nets and after a lot of back and forth, the Houston Rockets front office gave up on him.