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Former 76ers Star Returns to Original Jersey Number After Move

No. 25 Ben Simmons is back.
Justin Grasso|
Jan 29, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) during pre game warm ups against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Jan 29, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) during pre game warm ups against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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Philadelphia 76ersLos Angeles Clippers

When Ben Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, the organization marketed his fresh start by calling him “Ben 10.” For the first time in his NBA career, Simmons was changing his number after his run with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Simmons is getting another fresh start for the final half of the 2024-2025 NBA season. As he joins the Los Angeles Clippers, the former No. 1 overall pick has returned to his number roots. Ben 10 is in the past, and Simmons’ No. 25 is back on his jersey.

It’s safe to say Simmons’ Brooklyn run didn’t go the way anybody in New York had hoped. After Simmons debuted in 2022-2023, he played in just 90 games across three seasons.

Simmons averaged seven points, six rebounds, and six assists. The Nets parted ways with a 10-time NBA All-Star to acquire a disgruntled Simmons back in 2022.

At the time, Simmons had three straight seasons of being an All-Star and was in the Top 5 for the Defensive Player of the Year award two years in a row.

Which version of Simmons will the Clippers get? Only time will tell. With LA being in the Western Conference’s playoff picture, sitting sixth in the standings with a 29-23 record, Simmons’ usage will likely drop, as he could end up in a bench role after starting most of his games in Brooklyn.

The Clippers are likely banking on Simmons to show his Philly flashes. After winning Rookie of the Year in 2017-2018, Simmons had three-straight seasons of being a primary playmaker and perimeter defender for Philadelphia. He averaged 16 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and two steals per game throughout his final three seasons with the Sixers.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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