Nets' Ben Simmons on Requesting Trade from 76ers: 'It Was a Personal Thing With Me'

Ben Simmons spoke to the media for the first time all season Tuesday during his introductory press conference with the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets acquired Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round draft picks (2022, 2027) from the Philadelphia 76ers for James Harden and Paul Millsap last Thursday. 

Asked what went wrong with the Sixers, Simmons only said "it was a personal thing with me" that prevented him from wanting to play with the team.

"It was piled up," he added. "A bunch of things that were going on over the years, I wasn’t myself. Being happy, taking care of my well-being. It wasn’t about the basketball, it wasn’t about the money."

Simmons' tenure with the Sixers came to an unceremonious end. The three-time All-Star had a difficult moment in the team's Game 7 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals last postseason when he passed on an easy layup to give the ball to Matisse Thybulle late in the fourth quarter while trailing 88-86.

Embiid told reporters after the 103-96 loss that the moment with Simmons was the turning point of the game. Head coach Doc Rivers said "I don't know" when asked after the game if Simmons could be the point guard for a championship team.

During the preseason, Simmons was kicked out of 76ers practice by Rivers and suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported in October that Simmons informed the Sixers he wasn't mentally ready to play in games and would meet with medical professionals. 

Head coach Steve Nash told reporters prior to Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings there is no timetable for Simmons to make his season debut.

"I think he's in a pretty good place mentally," Nash said. "And if we work with him here, in conjunction with his physical ramp-up, to make sure he's comfortable on and off the floor, I think he'll be ready to play mentally when he's physically ready."

Simmons also didn't provide any information on when he might suit up for the Nets. He did say he is hoping to play in the March 10 game against the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. 

Based on his Twitter reaction after the trade, Joel Embiid didn't seem broken up about losing his running mate from the previous three seasons.

It's probably not a surprise Simmons said he didn't speak with Embiid leading up to the trade.

The Nets will be counting on Simmons to be a difference-maker as they pursue a title this season. They had lost 11 consecutive games before Monday's 109-85 win over the Sacramento Kings. 

Simmons has been an impact player throughout his NBA career. The 25-year-old averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game in 275 starts with Philadelphia from 2017 to 2021.