Welcome to the latest edition of the NBA's hit soap opera, "As the Sixers Turn."Ben Simmons once again finds himself at the center of controversy afterthat the 76ers star showed up to the team's practice facility on Thursday but didn't go through his scheduled individual workout. He is reportedly dealing with a back i sue, though there are questions about the nature of his injury.Simmons was, and now there isdoubt as Carlos Beltran Jersey to whether Simmons will play Friday night against Brooklyn. Here are the latest updates on Simmons ahead of the 76ers vs. Nets game.MORE: Will Ben Simmonsplayvs. Nets?During an appearance on "NBA Today," Wojnarowski reported that Simmons arrived at and then left the Sixers' practice facility on Thursday without going through aplanned workout. He told members of the team's staff that he was feeling tightne s in his back, and after he was treated, he was cleared to participate in the workout. (Philadelphia did not holda team practice.). gives an update on the Ben Simmons situation in Philly live on NBA Today: SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) that Simmons is expected to attend the 76ers' shootaround on Friday morning Justin Verlander Jersey and discu s hisstatus with the team, though it is unlikely he will play against the Nets. was more definitive in his reporting, tweeting that Simmons will mi s Friday's game and is "currently not mentally ready to play for the team."Sources: 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons is currently not mentally ready to J.R. Richard Jersey play for the team and was receiving treatment on his back today due to ramp up proce s. He will mi s Fridays home opener vs. Nets and is not expected to play for an undetermined period of time. Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) Questions surrounding Ben Simmons' back injurySimmons' back tightne s had not been mentioned or treated by the team over the previous week and a half, , who also reported that Simmons returneda clean physical as part of thereturn-to-play protocol. The back i sue was discu sed for the first time on Thursday.It's unclear ifthe 76ersplan to fine or suspend Simmons if he continues to mi s practices and games.Will the 76ers trade Ben Simmons?As much as Simmons would like to find his way out of Philly, it'sunlikely that he will be moved anytime soon., Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey declared that the team will only trade Simmons in exchange for a true difference-maker."Right now, any sort of trade, which obviously Ben Simmons wants, the best thing we can do is get role Preston Tucker Jersey players back. That makes no sense," Morey said. "That will give us no better chance to win the title if we were to move Ben Simmons for role players. So, people should buckle in. This is gonna go a long time because our only task, my only job is to help us have the best chance to win the Evan Gattis Jersey title."Ben Simmons is a difference-maker, so we can get him back. He will help us win the title. If we can trade Ben Simmons for a difference-maker, we will do it. I think that's best for everyone in this situation."76ers vs. Netsinjury report(Currentas of 9:30 a.m.ET on Friday) TeamPlayerStatusReasonNetsKyrie IrvingOutNot with team76ersJoel EmbiidQuestionableRight knee; sorene s76ersShake MiltonOutRight ankle; sprain76ersGrant RillerOutLeft knee; injury recovery76ersBen SimmonsDoubtfulReturn to competition reconditioning