Ben Simmons will not be making his NBA debut this season after all, Philadelphia 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo revealed Friday morning.
Anyone who thought Colangelo’s post-NBA trade deadline media availability would simply provide context and details on the team’s trade Thursday of gridlocked big man Nerlens Noel to Dallas or veteran shooter Ersan Ilyasova to Atlanta was mistaken. Sadly mistaken, given the optimism by many inside and outside the Philadelphia organization that Simmons, the No. 1 pick in last June’s Draft, might soon play.
Colangelo made it clear that Simmons’ rehabilitation from surgery for a Jones fracture in his right foot was not complete.
Colangelo says Simmons out for the year as scan didn't show full healing
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) February 24, 2017
#Sixers B Colangelo on Simmons: 'Unfortunately, Ben is going to sit out. That's the bad news. The good news is 1 day he'll put on a uniform.
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) February 24, 2017
Bryan Colangelo says the Sixers "will talk about" having Ben Simmons a part of the Sixers' summer league contingent.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 24, 2017
This will be 5 straight years a #Sixers big guy misses the entire season (Bynum, Noel, Embiid, Embiid, Simmons). #NBA
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) February 24, 2017
Colangelo: Simmons' bone not fully healed, will sit out the remainder of the season.
— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) February 24, 2017
Ben Simmons won't play for the #76ers this season https://t.co/qSP6cMdajm via @phillysport
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 24, 2017
Sixers rookie Simmons won't play this season https://t.co/sSGSsU06op
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) February 24, 2017
Colangelo also provide an update on center Joel Embiid, the No. 3 overall pick in 2014 and Rookie of the Year candidate (thanks to past injuries). Embiid has played just once Jan. 20 due to what has been termed a bone bruise to his left knee.
Bryan Colangelo on Joel Embiid's knee injury: "It's still not determined to be anything serious."
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 24, 2017
