Ben Simmons sparks 76ers rumors with LeBron James photo hint

After being run out of town five years ago, Ben Simmons posted on social media that he’s currently lacing up The King’s boots.The former No.1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft had such a bad time in Philadelphia that he had to be sent out in a trade and was even kicked out of practice at one point, but is now posting pictures of LeBron James basketball sneakers after the all-time great signed with his former team.Simmons said in June he “maybe [will] go back to Philly” in an attempt to reignite his basketball career despite flaming out of the league and beginning a professional fishing career.Though those June comments are when James to the 76ers looked like a non-possibility.

With James now in the fold, the 76ers are among the NBA Finals favorites, as the team has also added Jaylen Brown to complement other high-end talent.Simmons had a phenomenal start to his career in Philadelphia, averaging at least 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game in each of his first three seasons while also being named first-team All-Defense twice in that span.However, in year four, he had a nightmare playoff series against the Heat that apparently caused serious harm to his career.Simmons, 30, forced a trade out of Philadelphia and had a bizarre mental block that ended with him often passing on open layups when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden.Another potential destination if he did return to the NBA would be the same team that seemingly broke him: the Miami Heat.“Miami would be nice.And not because it’s Miami,” Simmons said.

“I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organization, I like the culture.”...