For a long time, I’ve been placing Ben Simmons’ on-court debut right after the All-Star Break. Chris Haynes of ESPN is now reporting that my guess was probably right… or wrong:

Philadelphia 76ers rookie forward Ben Simmons could make his much-anticipated NBA debut shortly after the All-Star break, league sources told ESPN.

Barring a setback in his recovery, sources say the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft has a chance to take the hardwood near March. There still remains the possibility that Simmons sits the entire season, sources said, but his situation will continue to be thoroughly evaluated throughout his comeback quest.

He could hit the floor then as long as there’s not a setback but could also still miss the whole season. There’s a chance he’s back near March or in February. OK. Haynes stressed that the Sixers want to be “cautionary” and “delicate,” like Channing Tatum in a Nicholas Sparks movie. But really, we don’t know any more than we did.