Ben Simmons back in Philadelphia. This couldn’t be happening, could it?

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Well, a source told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that it’s “unlikely.” But the ESPN insider went on to write that “stranger things have happened.”

Shelburne revealed in a comprehensive report on Philadelphia’s early-season woes that Simmons reached out to former teammate Joel Embiid and others last summer to “mend fences.”

It’s been a few years now, so if you need a refresher: Simmons and Embiid’s relationship collapsed after the three-time All-Star requested a trade in the summer of 2021, which then led to a lengthy delay for the Australian.

Previously, Embiid called Simmons’ infamous pass-up dunk in the Game 7 playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks a “turning point” in the game.

Embiid later called the Simmons saga “disappointing” and “borderline disrespectful” to the rest of the team while staying away from training camp. A report from The Athletic at the time said Simmons felt his relationship with Embiid was “broken.” its course”.

Embiid said he felt Philadelphia had consistently “built” its team around Simmons, “whether it was shooting need or stretch-5.”

“… Our teams were always aligned with his needs.”

While Simmons may have tried to mend his relationship with Embiid, it would be much more difficult for him to win over 76ers fans again if he ever returned to Philadelphia.

Simmons, who played 275 games in six years for the Sixers, was booed every time he touched the ball in Brooklyn’s final game against Philadelphia.

It was nothing new for Simmons, who was brutally taunted in his first game at the Wells Fargo Center. Then-Nets coach Jacque Vaughn told ESPN at the time that it was “the most hostile environment he’ll probably ever be in (playing in).”

Simmons is in the final season of his contract with an expiring salary of $40.3 million.