The 76ers still have one roster spot open, and the name sitting at the center of the conversation is one that will instantly split the room: Ben Simmons.
A reunion with the former All-Star would come with plenty of baggage, but there’s another layer to this story that could make it a little more realistic. Simmons is back with Klutch Sports, the same agency network tied closely to LeBron James. Rich Paul once represented Simmons before he switched agencies during his NBA career, and that connection to James’ extended circle remains in place.
That matters because Simmons and LeBron have had a long-standing basketball relationship of their own. The two used to work out together in the summer, and early in Simmons’ career, James was something of a mentor to him.
From a pure basketball standpoint, the fit is easy to understand. Philadelphia has had a strong offseason, but defense and playmaking still stand out as areas that could use help. Those are the exact areas where Simmons, despite being away from the league for more than a year, should still bring value.
Of course, this isn’t a clean basketball decision. There are still off-court concerns around Simmons, including questions about his commitment and the unresolved drama from his previous stint in Philadelphia. His injury risk also can’t be ignored, especially after he didn’t look to be in ideal shape during his 2024-25 season split between Brooklyn and Los Angeles.
Even with all of that, Simmons may still be the most appealing option for that final roster spot. A training camp deal would make sense on the basketball side, and if the 76ers do decide to go down that road, his LeBron connection could make the whole thing a little easier to stomach.
In Other News...
Sixers Just Got A Reality Check On Jrue Holiday Rumors
The Jrue Holiday chatter had been easy enough for Sixers fans to picture, especially with the idea of a veteran guard potentially coming loose later in the season. But Marc Steins reporting poured a little cold water on that speculation, saying the Portland Trail Blazers are not operating as if a buyout is on the table and still value Holiday as part of their push for the playoffs.
For Philadelphia, the larger issue is not just whether Holiday becomes available, but how hard it would be to get there even in a best-case scenario. The Sixers would still have to sort through the cap complications tied to Holidays $34.8 million salary, which makes the reunion dream a far more complicated path than the rumor mill suggested. [Read more 🡒]
76ers Dream Lineup Comes With One Massive Concern Fans Know Too Well
Chris Bosh put a familiar spotlight on the 76ers long-term outlook, and it is one that still feels unavoidable in Philadelphia. Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, the conversation around a dream roster quickly turns into a discussion about chemistry, style and whether the talent can actually share the floor often enough to matter. With stars such as LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid all part of the broader picture, the appeal is obvious. So is the risk.
Embiid remains the center of the uncertainty, because the Sixers have been here before and know how fragile those hopes can be when availability becomes the storyline. The other names add intrigue and firepower, but the real challenge is not collecting more high-end pieces. It is making sure the group can stay on the court and function together long enough for the promise to become something more than another what-if in Philadelphia. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Still Have One Sneaky Roster Move Worth Watching
The 76ers still have one small roster wrinkle to keep an eye on as the offseason takes shape: a remaining two-way contract spot that could give the front office a low-risk way to add another developmental piece. With roster construction always shifting around the edges, that kind of opening can matter, especially for a team that may want to keep some flexibility while still searching for a player who can grow into a useful depth option.
Nick Smith Jr., Keaton Wallace and a few other names fit the basic profile of players who could draw consideration for that spot, each bringing a different blend of recent production and developmental appeal. Mike Gansey and the front office have a chance to target upside here, and while it is hardly the biggest item on Philadelphias summer checklist, these are the kind of quiet moves that can still end up paying off if the fit is right. [Read more 🡒]