Ben Simmons: Struggles in Philadelphia began before last season

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Ben Simmons said Tuesday his mental health struggles began well before the 76ers' season ended and he didn't believe he'd be able to overcome them in Philadelphia.

He's eager to begin moving on with the Brooklyn Nets, though isn't sure yet when he will join them on the court. Nor was he sure how things got so bad in Philadelphia.

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"If I knew, I would tell you everything," Simmons said. "But there’s just a lot of things internally that had happened over time, and it just got to a place where I don’t think it was good for me mentally. So, it is what it is. It happened and I’m moving forward."

He spoke at the Nets' practice center, less than a week after the 76ers traded him to Brooklyn as part of a package for James Harden.

The former No. 1 overall pick hasn't played since the 76ers were beaten by Atlanta in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Postgame comments from teammate Joel Embiid and coach Doc Rivers after Simmons played poorly were considered the catalyst for his trade request, but Simmons said that wasn't the case.

"That was earlier than that series or even that season that I was dealing with and that organization knew that," Simmons said. "So it’s something that I continue to deal with, and I’m getting there and getting to the right place to get back on the floor."

Simmons said he hopes to be ready to play by the time the Nets visit the 76ers on March 10.

Brooklyn Nets' Ben Simmons, right, looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

He thanked the 76ers organization and