'Hoop for free': Ben Simmons' stunning comment on 76ers reunion

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Could a potential reunion be on the horizon between the Philadelphia 76ers and former star Ben Simmons?

The man, who became a three-time NBA All-Star at the 76ers, stunned fans with a comment on his Instagram page where he responded to a question asking if he would return to play for Philadelphia if the team wanted him back on a minimum contract.

"It ain't about the $, I'd hoop there for free," Simmons responded.

"It's deeper then what they make y'all believe which is why I keep it pushing.

"(Right now) the focus is gettin' the body to 100% before putting my health on the line again... like I have been the past few years."

His comment received mixed reactions on social media, with some taking aim at the Australian, but most were 76ers fans pleading for him to come back.

"Genuinely miss watching you hoop that was the most fun I’ve had watching the Sixers play. One of my favorite players in the league, get healthy and come back to Philly. Fans just wanted you to be great (because) you have so much potential. All love," one user wrote.

"Ben I love you I really hope you come back to Philly one day or at least retire there I have your rookie jersey," another fan commented.

The response shows there's still plenty of Simmons fans in Philadelphia despite the way it ended, following a fallout with the organisation, which led to him being traded to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden in February, 2022.

Simmons' issues with the 76ers started after the 2021 NBA Playoffs, where the No.1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft infamously gave up an open dunk in game seven of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Atlanta Hawks - a series Philadelphia would go on to lose.

The Melbourne product and former LSU college basketball star then wore the brunt of criticism from then-coach Doc Rivers as well as his co-star in Joel Embiid.

Simmons then held out for most of the 2021-22 season, where he also dealt with several back issues, before the trade to Brooklyn. Having only played in 90 games for the Nets across almost three seasons, Brooklyn bought out his contract before he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers late last season and played a role off the bench in their playoff run.

The 29-year-old remains a free agent despite reportedly having interest from the New York Knicks in the offseason, which he reportedly turned down, resulting in him parting ways with his former agent.

Simmons' achievements while at the 76ers include winning Rookie of the Year, becoming a three-time All-Star, making two All-NBA Defensive Teams, being the league's steals leader in 2019-20 and making the All-NBA Third Team in 2020.