76ers’ Joel Embiid Opens Up About Ben Simmons: ‘The One That Got Away’

Joel Embiid had no problem openly discussing his former 76ers teammate and current Nets forward.

For the 76ers and their fanbase, the topic of Ben Simmons is one that’s largely run its course. Sure, there’ll be some casual trolling and likely a bit of frustration if the topic heats up in discussion, but things are going well in Philadelphia overall. 

However, it appears 76ers star Joel Embiid has done more than just bury the hatchet when it comes to any ill will toward his former teammate. Embiid recently spoke with teammate and up-and-coming star Tyrese Maxey about a number of topics on the guard’s podcast, Maxey on the Mic, but none were more interesting than what was said about Simmons. 

Maxey asked Embiid to talk about his former teammate and the situation, and I can safely say that very few people could have anticipated the response.

“I’ve always been one of those people that didn’t believe [Simmons] actually needed a jumper, like he was so good, he’s just a monster…. almost as fast as you [Maxey].... freaking monster, strong, I never actually believed he needed a jumper,” Embiid told Maxey. “I just believed that, you know, if he could find a way to get his free throws to 75-80% that would have changed everything.”

Former 76ers teammates Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Embiid then proceeded to break down how good the trio of himself, Maxey, and Simmons could have been together and cited a few mistakes made over the years, such as trading the draft rights to Mikal Bridges. But Embiid told Maxey that he believes Simmons leaving is the biggest mistake and “the one that got away.”

“I think that’s the perfect match… I think that’s the one that got away,” Embiid concluded. “I just hate the fact that the way things happened.”

It’s quite the comment from Embiid, but he and Simmons did have a lot of success together overall. Simmons played four seasons with the 76ers, not including his rookie season, which he missed due to injury, or 2021-22 when pushing for a trade. Over that span, he averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists.