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[Saba Sports News] Ben Simmons’ messy exit from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2021 is a well-documented chapter in NBA history.
However, a new report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne suggests Simmons recently made an effort to mend his relationship with former teammate Joel Embiid.
According to the report, Simmons reached out to Embiid and others within the organization during the offseason to repair fences. Whether those efforts were successful remains unclear.
Simmons’ fallout with the Sixers began when he demanded a trade and refused to play for the team. At the time, Embiid expressed frustration, stating he had tried to support Simmons but eventually moved on when those attempts failed.
Their relationship never seemed to recover, with Embiid maintaining a cold stance toward Simmons, even after he was traded.
In contrast, Simmons has consistently spoken positively about Embiid in public, even if the sentiment was not reciprocated.
Since his departure from Philadelphia, Simmons has struggled to regain his form. This season, he is averaging just 5.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. While Simmons may hope to improve relations with Embiid, the Sixers star appears focused on more immediate concerns as the team’s leader.
Whether the two can ever bury the hatchet remains uncertain, but for now, they continue to go their separate ways.