Jan 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
In a long, well-written piece on the factors driving the Sixers' dreadful start to the season, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne dropped this little nugget about Ben Simmons:
"So much has gone wrong for Simmons and his former team in the years they've been apart that Simmons' presence back in Philadelphia barely registered this time. He'd even reached out to Embiid and others last summer, league sources said, hoping to mend fences."
That's... interesting.
Shelburne did not indicate whether Simmons intended to discuss a potential reunion when reaching out to Embiid and others. But she noted that such a reunion, while unlikely, shouldn't be considered impossible:
"Simmons, who is in the final year of his contract in Brooklyn, has shown how he can still impact a game with his passing, length and defense. Could they ever try to figure it out together again? One source called it unlikely, but stranger things have happened. Especially with the Sixers."
"Especially with the Sixers" likely resonates with fans. While the team hasn't delivered any championships in decades, in recent years it has at least provided tremendous, absurd, theater. Nothing can be ruled out for this franchise.
Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid reconnecting after the last 5 years: pic.twitter.com/pVEtU5w32L
A person in position to know told On Pattison not to put much stock in the idea of Simmons returning to the Sixers.
