June 20, 2021 was the night that changed everything, including fans’ perception of Ben Simmons, whose postseason yips rendered him almost catatonic in Philadelphia’s Game 7 loss to Atlanta, costing the Sixers what would have been their first conference finals appearance in 20 years. Simmons never played another game for Philadelphia, demanding a trade after being criticized by coach Doc Rivers, who admitted he wasn’t sure if the 25-year-old could be the point guard for a championship team. Since then, Simmons has largely been MIA, briefly attending training camp before leaving the team to address his mental health.
After months of haggling, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey finally pulled the trigger before Thursday’s 3 PM ET trade deadline, dealing Simmons along with Andre Drummond, Seth Curry (Rivers’ son-in-law) and two first-round picks to the Nets in exchange for former MVP James Harden and veteran Paul Millsap. A three-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year, Simmons leaves Philadelphia as one of the most hated athletes in its history, turning the entire city against him with his playoff failures and perceived selfishness, never taking the necessary final steps toward superstardom.
Simmons’ eventual return to Philadelphia should be one of the most anticipated in recent memory with the former first overall pick sure to receive an icy reception from fans who feel he quit on them. Brooklyn’s next trip to Wells Fargo is scheduled for March 10th, exactly one month from today. The question, of course, is whether Simmons, who hasn’t played in 235 days, will be in uniform for that game. Before the Sixers traded him, Simmons didn’t seem particularly close to a return, though many suspect that had more to do with him not wanting to play in Philadelphia than whatever mental health issues he’s been struggling with.
It’s difficult to gauge where Simmons is physically after a nearly nine-month layoff, though it stands to reason he’ll need time to ramp up his conditioning before he’s declared “game-ready,” and even then, he’d likely be on a minutes limit. There’s also the issue of Simmons’ mental health, creating poor optics if he returns to the court immediately with Brooklyn after months of keeping the Sixers at bay.
One could easily see the Nets deliberately delaying Simmons comeback to avoid the spectacle and overwhelming vitriol his return to Philadelphia would create, holding him out under the guise of “load management.” Of course, the Nets aren’t necessarily in a position to slow-play things with Simmons, particularly on the heels of a nine-game losing streak. With just 28 days between now and March 10th, Simmons may be able to duck the Sixers this time, but he can’t hide from his past forever.
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