Sixers: Ben Simmons eligible to rejoin team activities

Ben Simmons did not join the Sixers for the preseason finale in Detroit on Friday night, but according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, he has cleared NBA health and safety protocols and is eligible to rejoin the team ahead of next Wednesday’s season opener.

The Sixers continue to cite “reconditioning” with respect to Simmons, which would seemingly hint at the intention to play him once he’s in game shape. That sentiment appears to be growing, with Marc Stein reporting a growing belief that Simmons has not played his last game for Philadelphia.

Just know this: we have not seen the last of the Ben Simmons drama.

Ben Simmons is eligible to rejoin the Sixers, but how much longer until a trade unfolds?

Daryl Morey and the front office continue to operate with unflappable patience. Simmons has no desire to remain in Philadelphia and his impending return will likely do nothing to change his mind. While the Sixers are hopeful Simmons can be convinced to stay, the fissures run too deep to have any real confidence in reconciliation.

A Friday morning report from Shelburne at ESPN only complicates the matter. She confirmed a great deal of speculation around Simmons’ mental state leading up to and following game seven. Also, when providing new details about Simmons’ meeting with team officials over the summer, she notes that Simmons asked for a fresh start on a team where he can “make mistakes.”

If the pressure-cooker environment in Philadelphia has truly gotten to Simmons, then it’s hard to imagine a new season with added stressors — fan rebuke, a trade request, and the potential disillusionment of teammates — being particularly fruitful. A source told Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice that Simmons is “going through the motions” in team workouts, and we have heard all summer that Simmons is mentally checked out of Philadelphia. Again, just does not seem like a recipe for success.

The Sixers have four years of contractual obligation to levy against Simmons, and there’s no reason for Morey to rush into a bad trade. Even so, the Sixers’ long-term future has to be viewed through the lens of Simmons’ trade request. Keeping him on the roster for an extended period of time — at least right now — just does not seem viable. A few weeks of strong production would boost his trade stock, but I’m not sure it’s that easy.

We are now in wait and see mode until Wednesday, Oct. 20, when the Sixers visit New Orleans on opening night. Ben Simmons could practice ahead of that game, and one would assume he needs to practice in order to catch up on the new playbook and familiarize himself with new teammates. Even then, we could see this reconditioning period drag out even longer.