The NBA career of Ben Simmons may be nearing its end, as the controversial free agent has yet to find a new home. Last season saw Simmons begin the final year of his contract with the Brooklyn Nets before joining the Los Angeles Clippers following a buyout agreement. He received rotation minutes for the Clippers’ playoff team, but he did not impress enough for other teams to offer him another opportunity.
The former All-Star is still most remembered for his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons performed at a high level early in his tenure, but his lack of shooting and declining confidence eventually turned him into a scapegoat. A recent Instagram post from a fan asking for Simmons to return to Philadelphia prompted him to respond with a surprising comment.
“It ain’t about the money. I’d hoop there for free. It’s deeper than what they make y’all believe, which is why I keep it pushing right now. The focus is on getting the body to 100% before putting my health on the line again… like I have been the past few years.”
Simmons made two key points in a statement that came from an unexpected place in a social media comment section. A reunion with the 76ers would make him happy, but he is still trying to get his body back to peak condition.
Why Teams Won’t Sign Ben Simmons
Despite Simmons referencing his focus on getting his body right, he still hoped to have an NBA job this season. He spent the summer on the free-agent market with the expectation that at least one team would take a chance on him. No team did, and Simmons remains unsigned without an official offer.
The 2018–19 season is the last time Simmons suited up for more than 60 games. To make matters worse, he has not had a strong NBA season since 2021. Four straight years of injuries and underwhelming play have made it difficult for teams to justify choosing him over younger talent that can fill specific roles.
Simmons’ defense has declined from his peak years, when he was viewed as a serious Defensive Player of the Year contender. Offense has always been a weakness, but he looked completely lost during his Brooklyn stint. Simmons did find a niche with the Clippers as a reserve center in smaller lineups, and he still failed to make a meaningful impression that would convince teams to sign him.
Would Philadelphia Take Back Ben Simmons
Joel Embiid has praised Simmons in recent years and expressed remorse over how their previous situation ended so poorly. Philadelphia expected to contend for an NBA Championship after trading Simmons for James Harden, but the 76ers still never advanced past the second round, continuing their long-running postseason struggles.
Paul George has underperformed as a major free agent signing brought in to be the team’s second star. The 76ers now have a deeper roster with young guards contributing both as starters and off the bench. If Simmons were to return, he would likely have to accept an uncertain role that may not guarantee him consistent rotation minutes unless dramatic changes occur in the coming years.
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