Ben Simmons is back in the City of Brotherly Love.
On Monday night, the 76ers’ estranged point guard arrived at Wells Fargo Center as the team earned a 115-104 preseason win against the Nets, according to ESPN.com. Simmons’ arrival apparently surprised the Sixers organization, which was expecting him later this week.
After landing in Philadelphia from Los Angeles, Simmons went to take a COVID-19 test, as part of the NBA’s health and safety protocol to return to play.
The All-Star guard, who asked for a trade earlier this summer, reportedly is expected to meet with the Sixers’ front office on Tuesday at the team’s practice facility.
Simmons’ arrival back in Philadelphia isn’t a clear sign that he’ll actively rejoin the 76ers. It’s still possible he could report to the team, but continue his standoff by sitting out — in hopes securing the trade he reiterated he wanted during an August meeting with head coach Doc Rivers and team leadership.
It’s possible the team and Simmons will discuss the financial penalties the point guard suffered when he did not report to media day, training camp and part of preseason. He currently has four years and $147 million left on his max contract he signed in 2019.
Per the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, Simmons lost an estimate of $360,000 for each of the two preseason games he missed. He was reportedly fined by the Sixers $15,000 for three missed practices ($2,500 for the first, $5,000 for the second, $7,500 for the third).
The new report came nearly two weeks after a multiple reports said Philadelphia did not pay Simmons the $8.25 million he was owed on Oct. 1, due to his absence from the team.
Simmons’ holdout with the Sixers extended as long as it did because he wanted to make a point, according to ESPN — which added that Philadelphia never came close to finding a desired trade they wanted to let go of Simmons. The Sixers reportedly have no active trade talks going on about Simmons.
It still remains to be seen if Simmons will suit up for the Sixers this season. He has yet to directly address the broken relationship.