Ben Simmons' cryptic documentary tease could offer 76ers new info on fallout

LeBron James isn't the only minimum player in the NBA with more hype than usual heading into the 2026-2027 NBA season.

Across the map, former Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons is making his NBA comeback with the Sacramento Kings. And soon, a documentary of Simmons' comeback process will air on ESPN, the network announced on Thursday.

"Being Ben," an E60 production, will be released on October 18. Based on the initial trailer that was released on Thursday, Simmons might have an interesting reveal about when he felt like his Sixers run was reaching the beginning of the end.

Is there a surprise on the way?

Most might look at that dreadful Game 7 in the second round against the Atlanta Hawks in 2021 as the moment Simmons realized he didn't want to be with the Sixers anymore.

In the series, Simmons averaged 9.9 points, 8.6 assists, and 6.3 rebounds. He struggled from the charity stripe, making just 33.3% of his attempts. The infamous decision to pass up a dunk with only Trae Young in front of him really felt like the icing on the cake for his career with the 76ers. Simmons felt like Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid called him out after. He never played for them again.

That was certainly the breaking point, but Simmons might've felt like his time with the 76ers was heading towards an early ending much sooner than that. Based on the E60 teaser, Simmons had a cryptic moment with Andscape's Marc Spears, when the reporter asked, "At what point did you feel like things in Philadelphia were going in the wrong direction?" Simmons fired back, "The truth?" The answer will soon be revealed.

Destined for failure

If I had to guess, the Simmons-Sixers relationship was on borrowed time the moment that Daryl Morey stepped into the front office in 2020. Simmons more than likely felt that. After all, the veteran guard was rumored to be looking at Texas real estate as James Harden trade rumors flooded timelines back when he was still on the Houston Rockets.

The moment Morey took the keys from Elton Brand, who initially signed Simmons to a max contract, the now-former President of Basketball Operations attempted to move Simmons. It was a signal to Simmons that let him know he wasn't as important to the franchise as he once was. Morey would later admit that he could've been better at establishing a better relationship with the three-time All-Star. Instead, he was too focused on getting his guy out of Houston.

That's just my prediction, though. Soon enough, we'll get the truth from the former Defensive Player of the Year candidate--and hopefully some more answers as to what contributed to the total downfall of the Simmons-Embiid era in Philadelphia.