Niang recalls Simmons' 76ers holdout: 'F--k this dude'

Warning: Story/video contains coarse language

Georges Niang appears to still hold a grudge against former Philadelphia 76ers teammate Ben Simmons over what transpired during the 2021-22 season.

On the latest episode of the "Road Trippin'" podcast with Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, and Allie Clifton, Niang explained how playing with Simmons was a motivating factor in his decision to sign a two-year deal with the 76ers in 2021. However, Niang learned soon after arriving in Philadelphia that Simmons was holding out for a trade.

"I'm like, 'How the f--k am I gonna make something happen?'" Niang said of learning Simmons wouldn't be playing. "And then he was walking around the facility, you know, you'd be like, 'What's up man?' Because they're like, 'Try to welcome him back in,' you know? And he'd be like (nods). And that's when I was like, 'F--k this dude. If I get an opportunity to play against this dude, I'm gonna just be an asshole.'

"There's etiquette. There's like, don't do dumb shit when you're out there. I was like, 'Out the window.'"

Simmons was eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets but underwent back surgery and missed the entire 2021-22 campaign as a result.

Niang joined the Cleveland Cavaliers on a three-year deal last summer.