Former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons is yet to land a new deal with an NBA team.
Last season, Ben Simmons agreed to a contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
However, Simmons severely underperformed for the Clippers, averaging just 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in 18 appearances.
Following the short stint, Simmons is currently a free agent. While the New York Knicks have shown interest in him, Simmons is reportedly considering retirement at just 29.
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty ImagesPhiladelphia 76ers showed interest in Ben Simmons after contract buyout with Brooklyn Nets
Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons has gone through a steep decline in recent years.
So much so that Jeff Teague believes that Simmons is no longer an NBA-caliber player. At this point, a return to the Philadelphia 76ers, the team that drafted him, could be on the table.
Keeping that in mind, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the 76ers showed interest in the 3x NBA All-Star after his contract buyout with the Nets.
“There had been some overtures, I would say, between Ben Simmons and the Sixers once he was securing a buyout from Brooklyn,” Fischer said, via Bleacher Report.
“He still has some friends in the area. I believe his brother was living in Philadelphia for a time, and there was some interest from Philadelphia at that point in time,” the NBA insider added.
Simmons was undoubtedly at his best during his four-year stint with the 76ers. He put up 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game for the team.
But since leaving Philly, Simmons has struggled with injuries as he has become a shell of himself.
Ben Simmons has reportedly ‘repaired’ his relationship with Joel Embiid
When Simmons demanded a trade from the 76ers, it evidently led to an ugly breakup with Joel Embiid. After all, the two players were the cornerstone stars for the franchise.
Evidently, if Simmons returns to the 76ers, it will only happen when Embiid green-lights the move. With that said, Fischer reports that Simmons and Embiid have reportedly settled their differences behind the scenes.
“But I can’t say I have any updated information on the Sixers’ interest in Ben Simmons there,” Fischer continued.
He concluded, stating: “And I do think Embiid and Ben have repaired that type of fracturing that went down behind the scenes as well.”
Considering Embiid hasn’t been at his best since Simmons’ departure, a reunion may help the two former No. 1 overall picks return to their peak form.