MINNEAPOLIS — No, Wolves fans. You have not fallen through the time vortex and landed back in 2021.

But, yes, this is about Ben Simmons coming to Minnesota.

A report on Monday has Simmons, healthy and seeking NBA re-employment, is about to begin workouts with the Australian national team. Corresponding speculation was immediate, with a number of teams mentioned as destinations. The report mentioned that Simmons has a non-guaranteed offer on the table for training camp with a Western Conference team.

Not Minnesota, please.

It brings back memories of the constant Simmons-to-the-Wolves trade rumors that were prevalent for several months in 2021. It should be pointed out that it occurred during Gersson Rosas’ tenure as president of basketball operations, not current majordomo Tim Connelly’s.

This time, the Wolves should proceed as if Simmons doesn’t exist and focus on getting their new-look team ready for 2026-27.

Clearly, the Wolves have a need at the four after Naz Reid and Julius Randle departed in trades. They could use a frontcourt player. The 6-foot-10 Simmons would bring them another playmaker who can rebound and play defense. Simmons, 30, is averaging 7.4 points a game for his career.

But the concerns outweigh what he could bring to the table.

Simmons has been limited by back issues going back to 2022 when he was with the Nets. He didn’t play at all last year. While he has reportedly regained his athleticism, it’s unclear how many minutes he’ll be able to log. What are the assurances that his back won’t flare up again? The Wolves need someone who can handle a workload of a four.

And while Simmons can create, play defense and rebound, he can’t shoot from deep. That would be problematic on the small-ball, floor-spacing Wolves. LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Terrence Shannon Jr. and others are going to get up and down the court and look to either shoot 3-pointers, drive and kick or finish at the rim.

In seven NBA seasons, Simmons has attempted a total of 36 3-pointers. His last attempt was during the 2022-23 season. Opponents are going to sag off of him, congesting the lane and affecting drives to the rim.

While the Wolves’ signing of Trey Lyles wasn’t splashy move, he has attempted over 1,800 3-pointers during his career, making 34.7% of them. Lyles, who’s also 30, can help with spacing. Simmons can’t.

This is 2026, not 2021. The Wolves are a different team than when they showed interest in him five years ago. Simmons needs to prove his back can hold up and handle a workload.

The Wolves need a solution at the four, not a reclamation project. So the Ben Simmons reclamation tour should not originate from Target Center.

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