Philly Radio Host Says Ben Simmons Return Would Literally Give Him a Heart Attack

A Philadelphia sports radio host is already bracing for the worst over a rumor that might not even be real. Ben Simmons, the former No. 1 pick who hasn’t played a minute in the 2025-26 season, recently name-dropped the 76ers as a team he’d consider signing with. And Spike Eskin of 94 WIP Sports Radio reacted about how you’d expect: with full-blown dread.

On a recent episode of “Ike, Spike and Fritz,” Eskin went off on Simmons potentially wearing a Sixers uniform again. He didn’t leave much room for ambiguity.

“I can’t imagine that Mike Gansey, in one of his first moves as Sixers’ President of Basketball Operations, would bring back Ben Simmons,” Eskin said. “I would have a heart attack… I don’t think [Simmons] is ever gonna play in the NBA again. I don’t know if he’s trolling us… But absolutely not. No Ben Simmons for the Philadelphia 76ers.”

Co-host Ike Reese was on the same page. The two made it clear: under no circumstances should the Sixers even entertain the thought. And Eskin doubled down by saying a Simmons return could literally stop his heart. Which feels like strong phrasing, but this is Philly sports radio. Nobody does hyperbole like Philly sports radio.

Simmons by the numbers: a tale of two careers

It’s easy to forget now, but Simmons was genuinely good in Philadelphia. For four seasons he averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 56 percent from the field. He made three All-Star teams. He was a Rookie of the Year. The problem was obvious though: he never developed a jumper. He shot 14.7 percent from three in Philly and that number got worse in a hurry after the trade.

Once he landed in Brooklyn and later with the Clippers, his production cratered. Over his next three seasons Simmons averaged just 5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. He took exactly two three-point attempts in that entire span and missed both. The guy went from being a max-contract cornerstone to a shell of himself, and he hasn’t played a game since the 2024-25 season ended.

So when Simmons says he wants back in the NBA the reaction isn’t exactly warm. Miami was also on his list but Philadelphia got the loudest, most panicked response. That’s what happens when your departure from a franchise is as ugly as his was. The holdout, the mental health debates, the finger-pointing — it all lingers.

Whether Simmons actually signs anywhere is still unclear. He hasn’t played in over a year. His back issues are well documented. And the Sixers have a new front office in Gansey that might want nothing to do with that particular brand of baggage. But for one afternoon in June, Eskin wasn’t taking any chances. He said his piece, made his heart attack threat, and sent a clear message to anyone listening: keep Ben Simmons out of Philadelphia.