KEY POINTS

  • Ben Simmons seems ready to play, but the Sixers have yet to make it official
  • The Sixers tell interested NBA teams to reel in a third team for a trade happen
  • Simmons is expected to be in an odd situation with Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid

Ben Simmons may be back in Philadelphia, but it will be interesting how things will run with head coach Doc Rivers.

For now, the belief is that the return of the 25-year-old was sparked by the amount of money he stands to lose. However, that may not be the only one.

Although he has returned to Philly, shipping away the disgruntled star player remains possible.

Several teams have expressed interest in the former top pick, but their current offers are nowhere close to what would satisfy the 76ers management.

A report from Jake Fischer of the Bleacher Report suggested what NBA teams should do if they are serious about acquiring “Big Ben.”

Philly has had no luck in advancing beyond interest in Simmons mainly because they are not impressed with the offers.

Instead, the Sixers are reportedly urging teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves to up their game and drag a third team in the equation to get something done.

The Cavs and T-Wolves have offered some players along with a slew of future picks. But it appears Philly is not interested in such deals and wants an All-Star caliber player for Simmons.

But from their end, questions are up in the air on how the strained relationship between Rivers, Joel Embiid and Simmons will pan out.

Shots have been fired by each of those personalities, so their level of professionalism will be put to a stiff test.

Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons takes rare three-pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers, a sign of things to come. Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers watch play in the final minutes during a 121-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images/Harry How

Simmons has already undergone a physical last Tuesday, October 12 and met with management at the Sixers’ practice facility.

Moreover, he has also gotten the COVID-19 jab, signs that he intends to play when the new NBA season opens.

For now, the best to expect is Simmons being on the Sixers bench when the 2021-22 season unfolds.

But as far as seeing action is concerned, that all depend on Rivers and 76ers management.

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