Ben Simmons has had a rough summer. An unrestricted free agent, it’s baffling to think that the former three-time all-star hasn’t latched on to a team with training camp despite garnering interest from a couple of contenders. It’s not just him, though. Some notable veterans and restricted free agents remain unsigned in the market.
The Australian-born Simmons has struggled mightily after his unceremonious exit from the Sixers three years ago. He spent two and a half unfruitful seasons with Brooklyn before toiling with the Clippers for half a season in 2025.
But Ben Simmons in a Philly jersey again? That seemed a possibility, according to Bleacher Report journalist Jake Fischer.
“There had been some overtures between Ben Simmons and the Sixers once he was securing a buyout from Brooklyn. He still has some friends in the area. His brother was living in Philadelphia for a time. And there was some interest from Philadelphia at that point in time,” according to Jake Fischer in Bleacher Report’s Insider Notebook on YouTube.
“I do think Embiid and Ben have repaired that type of fracture that went behind the scenes,” he added.
If Fischer is to be believed here, Sixers superstar Joel Embiid apparently hashed things out with his former teammate. That news is a bit of a shock for basketball fans, as Embiid was highly critical of Simmons after a game against the Hawks in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Their relationship back then was deemed irreparable.
Will Ben Simmons Play Next Season?
Whether the 29-year-old will continue his career in the NBA remains a mystery. There were reports that Simmons is contemplating retirement. That development isn’t entirely surprising, considering his subpar performance on the court in recent years. After averaging double-digit scoring during his time with Philly, Simmons hasn’t cracked that mark in the past three seasons.
Some have suggested that Simmons is looking for more than the minimum veteran contract, but this year’s market has been volatile. Adding fuel to the fire, Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, had abruptly cut ties with him. The Knicks were reportedly interested in bringing him on a $5 million per year deal, but Simmons has not decided on his basketball future yet.
The post Ben Simmons And 76ers Quietly Explored Reunion After Nets Buyout As Rift With Joel Embiid Reportedly Healed originally published on Total Pro Sports.