The 76ers traded him in Feb. 2022 to the Nets in exchange for James Harden. Simmons, a three-time NBA All-Star, has been on the bench recovering from a back injury, The Athletic reports.

Social media quickly shared Smith’s harsh critique, prompting the 54-year-old Oscar winner to add his thoughts. Foxx posted his now-deleted comment under a clip on Instagram, chastising Smith’s commentary as extreme and suggesting it is racially biased, according to Vibe.

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“That is completely unfair @bensimmons has a family this man has people that love him and this man just plays basketball but to be dragged through the mud like this is unfair,” Foxx said.

He noted how Smith seemingly extended grace to white athletes like Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who Smith has fawned over several times.

“And why is it @stephenasmith you only go at basketball players,” he continued. “You [are] completely mute when it comes to the Tom Bradys [and] the Aaron Rodgers of the world… You get where I’m going… stop it bruh it’s out of bounds.”

On Tuesday, Smith went on First Take to defend his comments about Simmons.

“Like I told Jamie Foxx on the phone that he’s wrong, like I told him to his face that he’s wrong, I’m going to tell him on national television that he’s wrong!” Smith said, adding that he and Foxx are amicable, People reports.

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