Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported Monday that there are “zero trade discussions between the Sixers and Nets regarding James Harden”. In his report, he also had some information that people in Ben Simmons’ circle want him to return to the Sixers if he isn’t traded by Thursday:

Fischer:

The prospect of Simmons’ potential return will then take center stage after Thursday’s theatrics come to a close. Sixers brass have consistently messaged an optimism that Simmons may be willing to rejoin Philadelphia if a deal doesn’t materialize before the deadline.

Numerous figures affiliated with Simmons’ representation insist he’ll never dress for the franchise again, but there are people around Simmons who have recently pushed for the All-Star to retake the floor if he’s not dealt, sources said.

I think Sixers fans would forgive Ben Simmons. I really do. IF he came back and handled it the right way. If he called a press conference announcing his return, admitted fault in how he and Klutch handled the situation, and took his medicine from the home crowd the first couple of games back this would eventually blow over. There are going to be plenty who will never forgive him, but there also will be plenty who he can win back if the team continues to win games. At the end of the day you, me, and Joel Embiid just want to win games and they know Ben Simmons helps them more playing than sitting on the sideline:

Also, doesn’t Joel’s interview with Mikey Miss feel like a PR offensive by the Sixers? I know the main talking point from the conversation is Embiid thinks Simmons is being “unreasonable,” but I feel like we already knew Embiid thought that from his comments after Ben was kicked out of practice early in the year. Plus, the Sixers are continuing to keep tabs on Ben’s mood while he and Embiid have talked. It’s an interesting time to grant an interview during the biggest week of the Sixers’ season. If they were playing everything close to the vest they never would’ve agreed to it. Instead, this could’ve been the Sixers way of testing the fans reaction to a potential return from Ben Simmons post deadline.

Kinkead: I’m 99.99999999% sure Simmons never plays for the Sixers again, but if I’m wrong, I’ll quit this job and apply for a new gig at the Aramingo Avenue Wawa, running the cash register and trying to locate the right cigarettes.