Sixers: 5 possible outcomes for Ben Simmons’ return

Possible outcomes for Ben Simmons’ return to Sixers: The Aaron Rodgers

We have already heard Morey compare the Simmons situation to Aaron Rodgers once before. Rodgers has expressed a desire to leave Green Bay, but after a summer of drama, he decided to play one more season with the franchise before deciding upon his next step in the summer of 2022.

The Sixers and Simmons are in a slightly different position. Simmons has four years on his contract and cannot (or will not) renegotiate to become a free agent in 2022. He could, however, come to a similar handshake agreement with the Sixers: play out the season, see if Philly wins a title, then explore a more robust trade market next summer.

This would require a big commitment from Simmons, who is no doubt uncomfortable with the proposition of playing in Philadelphia again. For someone who has been pushing so hard and so publicly for a trade, it’s hard to envision Simmons being mentally checked in for an entire season.

In the end, however, this could be viewed as a happy medium for Simmons and management. Make another run next to Joel Embiid, see if the roster changes bear new fruit, and then recalibrate the future with three years left on his contract, instead of four. Again — not likely, but not impossible.