Charles Barkley Blasts Klutch Sports For 'Bullying' The League

It is a well-known fact that Sixers star Ben Simmons wants out of Philadelphia, so much so that reports have surfaced that he is planning to sit out training camp. While this tactic is becoming run of the mill for the league's top disgruntled superstars, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley condemns the move and highlights how Simmons' representatives, Klutch Sports, "bully the league."

While on the "Mike Missanelli Show," Barkley was asked about the Simmons trade rigmarole and the latest reports of him sitting out training camp. The former Sixers star berated Klutch Sports for the power they have over organizations, alluding to the Anthony Davis episode in New Orleans. He adds that the Rich Paul-led group ostensibly said "no, he's gonna go to L.A. and play with LeBron. He's not gonna play." 

Barkley is also hoping that, unlike the Lakers, the Sixers do not acquiesce to Klutch Sports' demands and that "somebody in the Sixers organization got some stones."

I don’t believe that,” said Barkley. “You know how that group works. They try to trade their players to where they want to. They do it the way they want to. Anthony Davis – they had better deals from Boston for Anthony Davis, and I think maybe even New York, and they’re like, ‘No, he’s gonna go to L.A. and play with LeBron. He’s not gonna play.’ They just bully the league. At some point, a team or the league got to stand up to, ‘Wait a minute. I paid your guy. You can’t bully me to trade him and me taking some trash back.’ So I’m hoping somebody in the Sixers organization got some stones, Barkley explained on the Mike Missanelli Show.

While a trade involving Simmons appears imminent, there is no telling whether he will be dealt by the start of the season or not. Many pundits have asserted that Philadelphia will have to lower their asking price for the three-time All-Star and settle for a slightly less than commensurate offer.

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports