The Philadelphia 76ers have exercised the fourth-year contract option for Matisse Thybulle and the third-year contract option for Tyrese Maxey, both set to take effect for the 22-23 season.

Thybulle, who is in his third NBA season, was selected by Boston with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft before Philadelphia acquired his rights in a trade. For his career, Thybulle has appeared in 135 games (22 starts), tallying 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 19.9 minutes per game. Thybulle’s 209 career steals rank sixth in the NBA since his rookie season. Over his two-plus NBA seasons, Thybulle has 31 games with at least three steals, a mark that is tied for the third-most in the league during that span. Last season, he was the only player in the NBA to have at least 100 steals and 70 blocks in less than 1,300 minutes played.

Maxey, now in his second season, holds career averages of 8.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16.7 minutes per contest in 63 games (13 starts). Maxey posted a career-high 39 points, along with seven rebounds and eight assists against Denver last season. At the time, Maxey was the first rookie since 2019 to post a 35-5-5 performance in a single game and became just the second 76er rookie to post such numbers in a game.

Ben Simmons attended the Philadelphia 76ers' shootaround on Thursday.

“He’s been working out,” Doc Rivers said before Thursday’s home game against the Detroit Pistons. “Today he was at shootaround, did a lot of shooting and a lot of stuff with Spencer [Rivers].”

Simmons has been working out at the practice facility for at least the past three days.

Rivers also said Simmons has been in good spirits since a meeting last Friday in which he revealed he wasn't mentally ready to play. Rivers admitted he doesn't know when Simmons will return to play.

“I don’t think about it a lot,” he said. “I’ve always thought that. I’m assuming yes. But I don’t give that a lot of thought right now.”

Daryl Morey joined the Philadelphia 76ers pregame show on NBC Sports Philadelphia and gave an update on where things stand with Ben Simmons. Morey mentioned Simmons is dealing with both back soreness and personal things off the court. The Sixers President of Basketball Operations said the team takes both issues seriously.

Simmons recently returned to Philadelphia after a lengthy holdout. His initial days back with the team were tumultuous, as Doc Rivers kicked him out of his first full practice with the team. Simmons was suspended for the home opener, and then refused to do an individual workout when the rest of the team had an off day.

Simmons then spoke with his teammates and coaches and explained his not in the right space to fully return. Simmons was open that he's not mentally ready to play basketball at this time. Multiple teammates then came out in support of Simmons over the following days.

In recent days, the 76ers have stopped fining Simmons for sitting out. Morey said the team is working with Simmons, as opposed to the previous acrimonious days. Morey said, "And, you know, he spoke to his teammates, you know, things seem to be moving very much in a positive direction. We’re gonna provide all the resources, get Ben what he needs and get him out there as soon as we can."

The Philadelphia 76ers have stopped fining Ben Simmons for missed games and practices now that he has reported and is out for personal reasons. 

Simmons reported to the 76ers on the Friday before the start of the season after initially holding out in hopes of being traded. Simmons was kicked out of a practice last week by Doc Rivers.

Simmons maintains that he is not mentally prepared to play and there is no known potential return date.

"Right now, everybody is in a good place," said Ramona Shelburne. 

If the Philadelphia 76ers are to trade Ben Simmons, no deal is expected before mid-December. On December 15, the vast majority of players who signed contracts at free agents over the offseason will become trade-eligible. At that point, the pool of available options will increase substantially for Daryl Morey.

Simmons has now returned to the Sixers, but isn't expected to play for some time. In a conversation with players and coaches, Simmons said he's not ready to play or fully practice yet. Simmons is working on his mental health, in addition to dealing with some back soreness.

Almost to a man, Simmons' teammates have supported him in his return. All have pledged to give him space and to support him as he works his way back. Despite his return to the team, Simmons has not moved off his trade request.

In an exclusive statement to Yahoo Sports, NBPA head Michele Roberts took issue with some saying Ben Simmons is using mental health as an excuse for not being ready to play. Roberts also called out Daryl Morey for saying he's prepared to wait out the four years remaining on Simmons' contract before he'll trade him for a less than desired package.

Roberts said, "Really? Is it so hard to believe that Ben’s not mentally at a place to compete? Professional athletes — like the rest of us — have difficult periods in our lives that require time and energy to heal. We have and will continue to provide Ben with the support and resources he needs to work through this. Threatening the prospect of 'another four years' serves no one’s interests. Like Tobias (Harris), I say let’s respect Ben’s space and embrace him while allowing him the time to move forward.

"So, take a breath and count to 10: We are all too good to continue to play this perpetual game of chicken.”

Simmons has recently reported back to the Philadelphia 76ers, but has yet to complete a full practice with the team. He was kicked out of his first practice by Doc Rivers for refusing to take part in drills. Following that, Simmons was suspended for the season opener.

Since that point, Simmons has talked with his teammates and coaches and explained he's not mentally ready to play at this point. He asked for time to get himself ready. Multiple players, including Tobias Harris, have come out in support of him. They've said they'll give him the time and space he needs.

The Delaware Blue Coats announced that Prosper Karangwa has been named the team’s general manager. Karangwa retains the role of Vice President, Player Personnel for the Philadelphia 76ers while expanding his duties to lead Blue Coats basketball operations.

“Prosper is a well-respected executive with a special eye for talent, which he’s displayed over the last decade working in the NBA,” Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey said. “We’re very excited to have Prosper leading our development efforts with the Blue Coats and know he’s eager to grow the program to new heights.”

Prior to joining the 76ers front office in October 2020, Karangwa most recently served as Director of Scouting with the Orlando Magic, where he worked since 2012. Karangwa played a key role in Orlando’s draft preparation, in addition to talent evaluation, information-gathering and process improvement.

“The Blue Coats are a major part of the organizational development system, and I’m honored to take on this role in the program,” Karangwa said. “We are fortunate to have the leadership of both Jameer Nelson and Coby Karl in Delaware and I’m looking forward to working closely with them to grow our players and play exciting basketball at Chase Fieldhouse.”

Ben Simmons spoke with Doc Rivers, Joel Embiid and the entire Philadelphia 76ers team and accepted that everyone needs to take responsibility for the situation, including himself.

Simmons informed the 76ers that he's not mentally ready to play currently and needs more time. 

Simmons reported to shootaround ahead of Friday's home opener against the Brooklyn Nets. Simmons expressed that he wants to play but isn't prepared mentally currently.

The 76ers and Simmons have each sought a trade but none has materialized to the liking of the team. 

Daryl Morey reiterated in an interview on Friday that the Philadelphia 76ers wouldn't be rushed into trading Ben Simmons.

"People should buckle in. This is going to take a long time," Morey said.

"You're going to think I'm kidding, I'm not, this could be four years," Morey said. "The conditions I'm pointing out to you don't change. Unless Ben Simmons is traded for a difference-maker, we're in the prime of Joel [Embiid]'s career. We have to get back either Ben Simmons playing well for us, who helps us win the championship, or we have to get back a difference-maker for Ben Simmons. Or this could be four years from now, and we're still like, 'Hey, we took the best shot at it we could.' 

"This could be four years. This is not day-to-day. Every day, we're going to expect Ben Simmons to be back here, or we're trading him for a difference-maker. There's no other outcome that doesn't materially hurt our chance to win the championship in Joel Embiid's prime. 

"We would want him to play and be back starting tomorrow. But if he chooses to take some other path, that's his choice."

Simmons has four seasons remaining on his contract with the 76ers.

Ben Simmons is not currently mentally ready to play in games with the Philadelphia 76ers and was also receiving treatment on his back, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic. 

Simmons will miss Friday's home opener against hte Brooklyn Nets and "is not expected to play for an undermined period of time."

Simmons reported to the 76ers at the end of last week.