The Ben Simmons era in Philadelphia has been over for two weeks now, but the 76ers are still rifling through the rubble that was his chaotic final stay with the team before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal that featured James Harden coming over to Wells Fargo Center.
Sixers guard Danny Green delved into the Simmons deal and shed some light on the malcontent guard and his exit from Philadelphia — which also saw the departure of Seth Curry and Andre Drummond to Brooklyn — while on his Inside The Green Room podcast.
“Interesting dynamic of how things went down. Interesting dynamic of who went with [Simmons],” Green said (h/t NBC Sports Philadelphia). “I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to [Curry and Drummond] yet, but I know they weren’t on the most of cordial terms when he was in Philly, with Drum and Seth. So I wonder how that relationship is now when I’ll have a chance to talk to them.”
He’ll have an opportunity to speak up close and personal with all three on March 10 when the Nets visit Wells Fargo Center — though it’s uncertain how he’ll be with Simmons, or if the three-time All-Star will even play.
Simmons hasn’t played at all this season due to mental-health concerns that saw him unfit to join the 76ers after demanding a trade.
“Now, will we shake hands to start? Probably not,” Green said. “First, I’d be highly surprised if he even plays in that game. I don’t know where his health is — mentally, physically, I know he had other issues — and we all know he does not like to play in Philly. So if he does play in that game, I’d be highly surprised.
“But say that does happen? I see it as being a very hectic playoff-like environment, atmosphere, to where it may be very rough for him. Depending on how he acts — I don’t have any ill wills towards the guy. I don’t hate him, I don’t dislike him, it’s just — for me it’s whatever. I don’t waste more energy going out of my way to dislike him or spend any more energy trying to go out of my way to hate him or do things to him.
“If he comes up and shows love, I’ll say ‘What’s up?’ That’s the type of deal I’m on… But it all depends on how that game goes, how he interacts in that game and how well he plays, how cleanly or non-cleanly he or us plays against each other. That’s going to determine how we shake hands. But I highly doubt he plays in that game, and if he does I highly doubt he wants to shake hands before or after that game.”
