Ben Simmons has accused former Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey of trying to force him out of the team. The NBA player, who left the Sixers during the 2021-22 season, made the comments in ESPN’s Being Ben documentary.
“Especially come from up there, up top and upstairs, you’re vocally saying you’re trying to get me out of there or set things up or whatever,” Simmons said. “I think at that point—I’m one of those people, like I’m going to show you, you don’t want me here? F–k it, I ain’t coming in.”
Simmons, now with the Sacramento Kings, also claimed Morey made promises to James Harden, though he believes their relationship has since soured. “There’s some good guys in there and some bad guys and some people you can’t trust,” he added. “There’s some snakes. And I think he’s one of them.”
Morey joined the Sixers a year before Simmons’ holdout. The player’s departure was marked by controversy, including an incident where Simmons was kicked out of practice. Former head coach Doc Rivers downplayed the event, stating, “I think that was way overblown than what it was.
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Since leaving Philadelphia, injuries have impacted Simmons’ career. He has played only 108 games in the past five years. Simmons sat out the entire 2025-26 season but is expected to start for the Kings in the upcoming campaign.
Management decisions in professional sports can significantly influence player attitudes and group interactions. NBA trade and personnel moves often involve detailed relationships and strategic planning, sometimes resulting in public disputes.
Rivers’ comments indicate the practice incident was less severe than reported, emphasizing Simmons’ unwillingness to participate rather than a confrontation. “It wasn’t some yelling match or anything like that,” he said. “He wanted to go.”
Simmons’ move to Sacramento opens a new chapter in his career, yet his time with the Sixers remains a topic of discussion. His accusations against Morey reveal the tensions that can emerge between players and executives in high-pressure settings.