See you next fall, Mr. Simmons!
Last week, the NBA world was met with some tragic news, when the no. 1 overall pick of the 2016 Draft, Ben Simmons fractured a fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot. The injury, which kept Kevin Durant out of action for multiple months, could likely have the 20-year-old rook out of action for longer than the initial three-month diagnosis 76ers revealed over the weekend.
However, now his agent, Rich Paul (the same guy who represents all things LeBron James), is reportedly wanting his client to sit out the entire 2017 season – to avoid future injuries on the foot.
According to Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News, he called into a sports show this morning and said, “I just got off the phone with somebody who I really trust in the NBA, and he’s like there’s no way his agent is going to let him play this year. That’s an injury that you don’t mess around with, and he thinks he’s going to keep him off his feet all year.”
While this immediately means the 76ers will likely get another top overall pick in the draft, this marks the third time out of the last four years that a player they drafted will miss (see: Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel) an entire season. Rich is obviously looking out for Ben’s best interest, and he wants the foot to be completely healed next summer. Let us know what you think about the latest injury curse for Philadelphia and if Simmons should sit out 2017.