Sixers: 5 possible outcomes for Ben Simmons’ return

Ben Simmons is back in Philadelphia. The Sixers‘ All-Star guard showed up like a phantom Monday night, arriving at the arena mid-game to take his mandatory COVID test and officially re-join the franchise. This puts an end to his financial woes, but opens up an entirely new can of worms and he and the organization chart a path forward.

How Simmons’ return works will be largely up to Simmons. The Sixers can only do so much to appease a player who does not want to be appeased. While stranger things have happened, it is clear the Sixers are fighting an uphill battle in attempting to convince Simmons to reinvest long term.

Here are the five possible outcomes for Simmons’ sudden and chaotic return to the franchise.

Possible outcomes for Ben Simmons’ return to Sixers: Another holdout

For a couple weeks now, this has felt like the most “likely” outcome. Simmons reports to the team, ends his official “holdout,” then claims injury and does not play. It is simple and effective. He doesn’t get fined, he keeps pressure on the front office, and he causes enough discomfort to — in his ideal world — expedite the trade process.

Simmons has already put his Philly-area homes on the market, and any hope of true reconciliation still feels far fetched. There is a chance the Sixers can convince Simmons to suit up, but we have seen similar situations unfold with, for example, Anthony Davis in New Orleans. The Sixers could even support Simmons’ bid to keep holding out as a means to avoid injury or locker room discomfort, which would further damage his trade stock.

In this instance, it would feel increasingly difficult to envision the saga dragging on past the trade deadline in February.