Ben Simmons' staggering $23 million move amid NBA furore
Just weeks after being embarrassingly bounced from the NBA Playoffs, Ben Simmons has dropped $23 million (AUD) on a new home in Los Angeles.
Simmons and his five-year, $177 million (AU$236 million) are in the midst of trade rumours after the Philadelphia 76ers' disappointing exit at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks.
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Though he may find himself residing outside Philadelphia next season, for the time being Simmons is focusing on another home away from home in the exclusive LA suburb of Hidden Hills.
The 24-year-old should have time to settle into his new home after opting not to join the Australian Boomers for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Hidden Hills is a celebrity-dotted neighbourhood, with the likes of former NBA star Dwyane Wade, rappers Lil Wayne and Drake, as well as several members of the Kardashian family.
The massive 6,070 sqm estate features seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, two swimming pools and a guest house.
Construction on the sprawling residence was only completed earlier in the year.
The house also features tow custom-made chandeliers, reportedly worth $100,000 each.
Simmons faces an uncertain NBA future after the disappointing playoffs exit, in which he averaged 11.9 points over 12 playoff games.
His dismal free-throw percentage became the biggest bone of contention among fans, with his inability to hit from the charity stripe late in games one of the biggest knocks on the All-Star calibre player.
Ben Simmons pulls out of Tokyo Olympics
In a move many saw coming after the 24-year-old's inconsistent performances during Philadelphia's early NBA playoffs exit, Simmons indicated that while he remained committed to representing the Boomers now was not the time.
"It is a pretty rough time for him right now and I know it is something that he wanted to do, but the timing just hasn't worked," Boomers coach Brian Goorjian said.
"The best thing for everybody right now is for him to go on and develop that skill package and improve in a couple of areas for his next season in the NBA, but the Boomers are always here for him.
"We wanted him to know that in his time of need, the culture and the guys here are behind him and support him."
Simmons copped much of blame for the 76ers' loss to Atlanta in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Australian's struggles at the free-throw line impacting his confidence to the point where he began passing up wide-open shots.
He was just 15 of 45 (33.3 per cent) from the free-throw line in the seven-game series and he attempted just 14 shots from the field over the final three games - none of them in the final quarters with the result on the line.
There has been much speculation the former No.1 draft pick will be traded this off-season, with 76ers coach Doc Rivers admitting after the game-seven loss to the Hawks that he was not sure if his team could win a championship with Simmons running the team - although he has since said he is "bullish in Ben still" and has a plan to improve his shooting.
Boomers guard Patty Mills - an NBA veteran with San Antonio - said he understands Simmons' situation.
"The number one fact and characteristic of our group is how we support each other through the good, bad and ugly, whatever it may be, and Ben isn't an exception to that," Mills said.
With AAP
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