The Philadelphia 76ers have already made out like thieves this offseason. With the additions of LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Anfernee Simons, they are poised to challenge the New York Knicks for Eastern Conference supremacy next season.
And while the 76ers certainly don’t need any further moves, it may not stop President Mike Gansey from making one final pursuit. According to the latest intel, the pursuit could involve former 76ers star Ben Simmons, who has been out of action since the 2024-25 season.
“Ben Simmons could be the protagonist of one of the most surprising comebacks of the summer in the NBA,” reported Sixers insider Diego Jimenez. “The Philadelphia 76ers are considering adding the Australian with a one-year minimum salary contract to complete the last spot on their roster, an operation that just a few months ago would have seemed unthinkable. However, the arrival of LeBron James, the team’s lack of interior depth, and Simmons’ desire to return to the league have completely changed the scenario.”
Ben Simmons and the Sixers did not depart on good terms. During the 2021 playoffs, when Simmons was at the heart of an ugly collapse, he forced his way out by ghosting the team and refusing to participate in any basketball activities. Eventually, a full season went by before he played again, and nobody ever thought he would return to Philadelphia.
In fact, there was serious doubt that Simmons would ever play in the league again. With averages of 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 43.4% shooting from the field in 2024-25, his game and production saw a sharp decline, and interest in his services has been minimal ever since.
But at 30 years old, and after a whole season away from the game, Simmons says he’s ready for a comeback, and what better place to start than where it all went wrong? He’d be a cheap and low-risk addition at the veteran’s minimum, and his skills as a two-way ball-handler and playmaker would provide a nice spark off the bench.
Specifically, the presence of LeBron James would do wonders for Simmons, who could learn how to maximize his health from the most durable athlete in NBA history. Plus, with Tyrese Maxey being the leader, Ben would not have the same pressure to perform that hung over his shoulders during his first Philly stint.
On the surface, there’s a major opportunity for both sides here if they are willing to take the risk of a reunion. After a long hiatus from the game, Ben is ready to prove himself again, and the 76ers offer everything he could want. In turn, he gives Philadelphia a low-risk, high-reward addition who could surprise many across the league.
Before his downfall, Simmons was easily one of the best young wing players in the league, with a stat line of 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 58.0% shooting and 28.% shooting from three. If he can be even partly the same player he was then, it makes the 76ers that much deeper in an already transformative offseason.
