The Philadelphia 76ers have their fare share of well-acclaimed moves in free agency, but the front office has likewise pulled off some brow-raising ones. And with the team still having unfinished business this offseason, no one will really consider them as having one of the best all-around slates this summer when it comes to player movement and whatnot.
Having said that, there was once a bit of a clamor from a small faction of 76ers fans about theoretically bringing back an infamous name — Ben Simmons. Before the team lost Guerschon Yabusele to free agency, which was already a strong likelihood back then, Simmons appeared to at least be a sensible free agent prospect, especially given his expectedly cheap cost.
Obviously, that think piece never made it past the intangible realm. Now, the former All-Star remains without an NBA home, and there is not really a lot of interest in him at this juncture due to his injury concerns and and colossal decline.
But as signaled by some recent development, a certain team may actually be zeroing in on bringing Simmons into the fold.
Former 76ers star Ben Simmons is rumored to be a free agent target for the Knicks
According to Knicks insider Ian Begley, New York has “continued to touch base” with Simmons, which is in keeping with an earlier rumor that also had the Knicks as the favorites to snag him off the open market.
The former 76ers star, who split time in Brooklyn and with the LA Clippers last season, could still be a viable role player as a small-ball center who can set the table for others and defend virtually every position, although of course, his injury concerns are of paramount significance in deducing his projected on-court value. New York, however, has the necessary firepower to tolerate bringing Simmons into despite his clear red flags.
Should this go on, it would be fitting for the former 76ers cager to head to the Knicks, which are expected to be one of the favorites to win the East next season. New York will be Philadelphia’s main rival in the Atlantic Division, and it is poetic for the former to house one of the players whom 76ers fans loathe the most.
Having said that, the Philadelphia 76ers have bigger fish to fry than to douse themselves in sentimentality and/or remorse and take heed of what is unfolding with Ben Simmons. But if he indeed lands in the Big Apple, he can bank on fans doubling down on their not-so-friendly sentiments with him — that we can be sure of.