Is Ben Simmons playing tonight? Well, it's complicated! Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons hasn't played all season for the franchise. He continues to work on his mental health with team professionals while making the odd appearance at practice. After being fined constantly by the Sixers, the Aussie has started to fulfill team obligations and apparently, the two sides are on good terms. However, the question is: Is Ben Simmons playing vs Hornets?

Is Ben Simmons playing vs Hornets

So, is Ben Simmons playing tonight? The short answer is no, Simmons will not play against Charlotte. In fact, there is really no clear timetable for his return to the Sixers as the trade rumors continue to swirl. Daryl Morey has made it very clear that he won't accept anything less than a superstar in return for Simmons and at the trade deadline, that feel very unlikely to happen. At this point, it's still not even expected that Simmons will even play for Philly again. The fans are fed up with this saga, while he's showing little interest in suiting up again.

Earlier this week, rumors also came out that the Sixers are willing to include Tobias Harris in any package centered around Simmons. It's well known that Morey wants a Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal, which means the whole fiasco with the Aussie will likely continue into the offseason.

The Sixers are determined to get the 25-year-old back on the court though. But Simmons evidently isn't ready to do so after his playoff meltdown last season. If he isn't going to be traded quite yet, it makes the most sense to try and get Simmons on the floor to help Philadelphia win some ballgames.

However, the Sixers are starting to find a rhythm as they currently ride a seven-game winning streak and sit at 23-16 on the season, which is good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Is Ben Simmons playing tonight? The answer is a firm no. Nonetheless, the Sixers are in good shape.