Ben Simmons has declared his intention to leave Philadelphia, multiple sources confirm.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the All-Star guard “will not report for the opening of training camp next week and intends to never play another game for the franchise.”

The 76ers have dealt with a similar issue. In the early 2000s, Allen Iverson almost got traded to the Detroit Pistons because the management was not happy with Iverson’s antics and behaviors.

Former team president Pat Croce recounted his memory of the moment.

“It was a horrifying experience,” Croce said. “I couldn’t protect Allen. If he wasn’t going to listen to the coach and if he was going to be late for practice or miss practice, I couldn’t do anything about that.”

In the end, the deal was called off because backup center Matt Geiger declined to waive a contract clause. The management could not find a way around it, so Iverson stayed in Philadelphia.

Back to the present, the cards seem to be in the Sixers’ favor since Simmons still has $147 million and four years left on his contract. Philadelphia could test Simmons’ eagerness to remain away from the team by fining him a considerable salary.

The worst-case scenario is the Sixers could suspend Simmons for “failing to render services” once preseason games begin, which could cost Simmons an estimated $227,613 for each game he does not play.

Head coach Doc Rivers expressed his intention to keep the 25-year-old.

“I can tell you upfront, we would love to get Ben back, and if we can, we’re going to try to do that,” Rivers told ESPN. “Ben has a long contract, so it’s in our hands and we want him back.”

Iverson used the near-trade event as fuel and led the Sixers to the Eastern Conference championship in 2001 and won NBA MVP that year. It remains to be seen if Simmons will pull an Iverson moment.