We are just about 48-hours from Thursday's 3pm E.T. NBA Trade Deadline. So what is Ben Simmons' plan if he is not traded?
Well, according to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, people within the Sixers' organization and at least some of Simmons' camp want him to return to the Philadelphia 76ers and play for the surging Eastern Conference contender.
"Numerous figures affiliated with Simmons' representation insist he'll never dress for the franchise again, but there are people around Simmons who have recently pushed for the All-Star to retake the floor if he's not dealt, sources said," Fischer writes.
Sixers GM Daryl Morey has always maintained that the Sixers are better with Simmons on the floor, stating that the team hopes they could get him back. In a recent interview, Morey pointed out that the Sixers have taken significant steps back in the defensive and rebounding departments, an obvious result of Simmons' hold out.
This week, Joel Embiid stated that he would welcome Simmons back, as his only goal is to win a championship.
The Sixers, winners of seven of their last 10, are now 32-21, just 2.0 games back of the No. 1 seed in the East thanks in large part to the play of Embiid, who has been on an absolute tear of late. Embiid now leads the NBA in scoring and is the frontrunner for MVP.
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Simmons, 25, is only in the second year of his five-year, near $180-million contract, putting him under the Sixers' control through the 2024-25 season creating one of the all-time awkward situations in sports.
On Tuesday, the Portland Trail Blazers traded guard CJ McCollum, reportedly with a plan to build around Damian Lillard, likely officially removing him from Morey's wish list.
The clock is ticking for Morey and the Sixers, but maybe there is a path to hold Simmons and convince him to play.