Could Ben Simmons Return to 76ers? NBA FA Gives Update on Comeback Attempt

Ben Simmons expanded on the possibility of returning to the Philadelphia 76ers in a Tuesday comment on Instagram.

When asked if he would return to Philadelphia as a center or power forward on a league minimum contract, Simmons said he would "hoop there for free."

Simmons added that the situation was deeper than "what they make y'all believe."

"Rn the focus is gettin the body to 100% again before putting my health on the line again... like I have been the past few years," Simmons wrote.

Simmons comment came days after his account liked a comment saying he would be a "great fit" on the current Sixers roster.

Simmons recorded a Rookie of the Year campaign and three All-Star seasons in Philadelphia, although his tenure with the Sixers ended with a contentious holdout season in 2021-22.

He remains a free agent after reportedly rejecting an offer from the New York Knicks earlier this fall, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein wrote in July that teams interested in Simmons included the Knicks as well as the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings.

As of September, Simmons had interest from the Knicks and one additional team, according to the New York Post's Stefan Bondy.

Bondy reported, however, that Simmons was "questioning whether he even wants to continue playing in the NBA next season."

Stein added days later that the Knicks had offered Simmons a one-year minimum contract, but that "Simmons entered the summer hopeful of securing a contract above the minimum."

Simmons hasn't come close to All-Star status since his departure from Philadelphia, in part because of knee and back injuries which have limited his availability for the last four seasons.

He split the 2024-25 campaign between the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 6.2 points per game largely in a starting role, and the Los Angeles Clippers, where he came off the bench to average 2.9 points through 18 contests.

Simmons has recently been tied to the Sixers amid injuries that have limited key players including Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond, Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., Trendon Watford and Quentin Grimes during the early stretch of the season.

This isn't the first time Simmons has expressed a desire to return to Philadelphia. He told Marc J. Spears for Andscape in 2023 that he would "always have love for Philly."

"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,'" Simmons told Spears.

Whether Simmons eventually makes his return to Philadelphia could ultimately depend on both his health, as well as whether both he and the Sixers would be interested in a minimum contract.