Aussie NBA star Ben Simmons could be wearing a Philadelphia 76ers singlet by the end of this week

Every day that passes Ben Simmons moves a step closer to a 76ers playing return, and now the coach has given another intriguing update.

Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid could soon be teammates again. Picture: Christian Petersen

Ben Simmons could be back in a Philadelphia 76ers singlet as soon as this week after coach Doc Rivers said the wantaway star would be welcome to train and travel with the team as his return inched closer.

The Australian NBA superstar took the first steps to ending his tense stand-off with the team, after demanding a trade, by earlier this week taking a Covid test, which is part of return-to-play protocols.

He’s yet to train with the team, but after a practice session on Wednesday, Rivers said Simmons could even travel with the team to Detroit where the 76ers play their next pre-season match.

“I’m assuming he’s going to play, but who knows? I can’t get in anyone’s head,” Rivers said.

“Whether we play him or not, that’s going to depend on what we see this week.

“He’s coming from behind because he hasn’t been in camp, obviously. Having said that, do you rush him and put him on the floor? That’s a whole other subject. What we see this week is how we determine everything going forward.”

Doc Rivers assumes Ben Simmons is going to ply. Picture: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Simmons missed training camp and the pre-season games so far in the wake of his off-season trade demand that rankled some teammates, raised the wrath of fans and left many puzzled why he wants to leave last season‘s No. 1 seeded team in the Eastern Conference.

It’s also been costing him upwards of $1m in fines, money that can’t be recouped even should he return to play.

There’s reports several teams remain “engaged” with Simmons’ management over a possible trade, but it’s unlikely to happen before the NBA season starts.

Philadelphia’s opening game is on October 21.

Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Indiana, Minnesota, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio and Toronto have all remained engaged with Philadelphia on trade talks centered around Ben Simmons, per @JakeLFischerpic.twitter.com/lMYQGUKFLk

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) October 13, 2021

Teammates including superstar Joel Embiid have declared they would welcome Simmons back despite an ugly off-season.

“We want him back. We want him with us,” Danny Green said

Another teammate, Seth Curry, said he didn’t need an explanation from Simmons about the saga should he return to play.

”I‘ll be able to see when he steps on the floor where his head’s at,” he said.

“I don’t feel like he needs to explain anything to me.”