The Ben Simmons saga has drawn on throughout the offseason, and everything pointed to him potentially being traded before the regular season. There were plenty of trade rumors surrounding the star point guard and he’s been linked to plenty of teams around the league.
However, it has recently been revealed that Ben Simmons has officially returned to Philadelphia. It has been reported previously that Rich Paul and the 76ers were working on a solution that would bring Ben Simmons back to Philadelphia, and it seems as though the 76ers have gotten their wish. However, it is still unclear whether he will actually suit up for the 76ers.
Joel Embiid has recently commented on the prospect of Ben Simmons potentially returning to the team. Embiid stated that he hasn’t talked to Simmons since the end of the season, but added that Simmons gives him “the best chance to win”.
Full Joel Embiid quote on what the locker room reaction would be if Ben Simmons returns. pic.twitter.com/Q8AlbDasjq
— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) October 12, 2021
I personally haven’t talked to him since the season ended. Obviously, I tried but I wasn’t as successful as a lot of my teammates have been. Like I said, it’s unfortunate the whole situation happened but like I said we’re a better team with him on the floor. I think there’s going to be some adjustments but it doesn’t need to be awkward. We’re all professionals. We want to win. I want to win. He gives me the best chance to win, so that’s what I’m gonna go with. But as far as coming back and all that, we’ve made a few adjustments and you got to buy in and we’re fine. Last year we got the No. 1 seed, so like I said, you gotta buy in and we’re gonna be fine.
It remains to be seen whether Ben Simmons will end up staying with the 76ers, though it still seems somewhat unlikely. Joel Embiid is certainly open to the possibility of that happening though. The situation is clearly tense in Philadelphia and we’ll see how it unfolds.
The 76ers were a great team last season with the Joel Embiid-Ben Simmons duo, even if the fit between the two stars wasn’t perfect. Hopefully, the 76ers are able to resolve this situation, either by convincing Simmons to suit up and stay, or by getting a good return for Ben Simmons if he is adamant on being traded.
