Ben Simmons and Doc Rivers began speaking again in recent weeks with the conversations increasing in substance, according to reporting from ESPN.
Simmons had never gotten over what he perceived as a lack of support from Rivers following the Philadelphia 76ers’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Rivers tried to reach him in the summer, but Simmons never responded to multiple texts and calls.
Simmons and Rivers had a conversation following Thursday’s trade, which covered no more of that ground. Both were relieved a seven-month saga was over.
There was mixed reporting on whether Simmons would play for the 76ers this season had he not been traded tot the Brooklyn Nets. Whether Simmons would have played for Philadelphia in that scenario now remains a hypothetical we’re never know the answer to.
Sources tell ESPN that Simmons continued to insist he would not play for the 76ers again.