Ben Simmons to 76ers? Why some Philadelphia fans are talking themselves into reunion after Paul George deal

Brendan OSullivan

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Ben Simmons to 76ers? Why some Philadelphia fans are talking themselves into reunion after Paul George deal image

A few years ago, 76ers fans wanted nothing to do with Ben Simmons.

The former All-Star had seemingly no support in the City of Brotherly Love after underperforming in the 2021 NBA Playoffs and holding out during the 2021-22 season.

The 76ers traded Simmons to the Nets for James Harden in February 2022, pleasing much of the city's fanbase. Just a few years later, some fans are teetering with the idea of bringing the point forward back to Philadelphia. It's the latest development in the toxic relationship between Simmons and 76ers fans. Will the two rekindle their spark or are they better off alone on separate clubs?

The Sporting News breaks down the noise surrounding the two parties.

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Why some 76ers fans want Ben Simmons reunion

Some 76ers fans seem to have gone rogue during the 2024 offseason. Just a few years after the fanbase wanted Simmons banished from the city, they're calling for the former All-Star to return to the City of Brotherly Love.

Simmons had the best years of his career with the 76ers, earning three All-Star selections and making the playoffs in all four seasons. The ending was bitter as Simmons held out to start the 2021-22 season before the organization traded him to Brooklyn.

Apparently, two years separated is enough time for reconciliation as some fans have considered bringing him back this offseason. He'd rejoin Joel Embiid on a title contender, though Simmons would shoulder a much lighter load.

Simmons still has one more year on his contract worth $40.3 million, so the Nets would have to buy out the point forward. It would pave a path for the 76ers to sign Simmons on what would likely be a minimum-salary deal.

Tobias Harris hit free agency this offseason, liberating the 76ers from his five-year, $180 million contract. That opened the door for the team to acquire Paul George and extend Tyrese Maxey to max contracts.

Despite some calling for Simmons to return, other fans find the idea ridiculous. They believe the 76ers shouldn't reunite with Simmons "under any circumstances."

Regardless of what the 76ers and Nets do with Simmons this offseason, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for a future reunion in Philadelphia.

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Why did Ben Simmons leave the 76ers?

Simmons' breakup with the 76ers was ugly, and it lasted for months following the 2021 playoff meltdown.

The former All-Star shot a miserable 34.2 percent from the free-throw line in the 2021 NBA Playoffs and didn't record a shot in the fourth quarter of Games 4-7 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The 76ers, who were the No. 1 seed, lost to the No. 5 Atlanta Hawks in seven games. Embiid and Doc Rivers, who was the team's head coach at the time, made divisive comments about Simmons following the Game 7 loss.

Rumors, reports and fake trades circulated social media that offseason, and Simmons reportedly told the organization that he had no interest in playing for the 76ers again. He held true to that sentiment, only participating in one practice, in which he was thrown out.

Simmons has moved past that tense time in Philadelphia. He said he's open to rejoining the 76ers if that possibility ever arises.

"I’ll always have love for Philly," Simmons told Marc Spears with Andscape. "People always ask me like, 'If you were to get traded again where you want it to be?' I always say, 'Just Philly. Philly is a second home to me.'"

76ers fans have resurfaced the quote as they consider whether bringing Simmons back to Philadelphia would be a good idea. 

Brendan OSullivan

Brendan OSullivan Photo

Brendan O'Sullivan is an editorial intern for Sporting News, joining in 2024. He previously worked at Newsday on Long Island, New York after graduating from Quinnipiac University.