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Money can be the motivating factor for a lot and perhaps it's why Ben Simmons has returned to the Philadelphia 76ers. It was far from a foregone conclusion and many believed Simmons would never return to the Sixers.
This summer, the Sixers sent their brass out to Simmons' agent, Rich Paul, and his home in Los Angeles.
Per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Sixers coach Doc Rivers even brought up Simmons' pay during the dialogue and certainly didn't coddle the star.
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The Sixers still believe the dominant defensive pairing between him and Embiid can be the backbone of a 2022 title team.
For that, dating back to those Combine dialogues, Philadelphia was adamant in its plans to withhold Simmons' pay for not complying with the terms of the five-year, $170-plus million agreement he signed in July 2019. Later, at Paul's home, Rivers even shouted, “It's in your f–king contract” to report and play for Philadelphia, sources told B/R.
Whether that comment clicked or hit home at all for Simmons is up for debate but for the Sixers, they are likely relieved to have him back in the building with the regular season opener about a week away.
The next step is finding out whether Simmons ill play things out in Philly with the Sixers or if the trade demands still stand. For now he's reported to the team and will began team activities once he's cleared protocol to do so.
