Ben Simmons believes he can return to the NBA, and the previous No. 1 total choose has recognized the Miami Warmth and Philadelphia 76ers as groups he would welcome becoming a member of.
“I plan on getting as robust as I can bodily, getting my ass on the court docket, after which the crew realizing that my talents will probably be wanted,” Simmons informed Males’s Well being Magazine. “Perhaps I’ll return to Philly. Miami can be good. And never as a result of it’s Miami—I like Erik Spoelstra, I just like the Warmth, I like their group, I just like the tradition.”
Simmons spent all the 2025-26 season with out an NBA contract after ending the earlier season with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 29-year-old final appeared within the league in the course of the 2024-25 season, splitting time between the Brooklyn Nets and Clippers whereas averaging 5.0 factors, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 51 video games.
His latest manufacturing has been far faraway from his early profession peak, however Simmons’ résumé nonetheless consists of elite seasons. In his first 4 full NBA seasons with the 76ers, he averaged 15.8 factors, 8.1 rebounds and eight.2 assists as a rookie, then posted 16.9 factors, 8.8 rebounds and seven.7 assists in his second season.
Simmons earned three All-Star alternatives, was named to the All-NBA Third Crew in 2020, and completed as a Defensive Participant of the Yr finalist twice. His 2020-21 season noticed him common 14.3 factors, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists whereas ending second in Defensive Participant of the Yr voting.
Nonetheless, accidents and offensive limitations modified the trajectory of his profession. Simmons missed the 2021-22 season after his commerce from Philadelphia to Brooklyn and later handled recurring again points that restricted his availability. Since becoming a member of the Nets, he has performed solely 108 video games throughout three seasons.
A return to Philadelphia would symbolize a reunion with the group that chosen him first total within the 2016 NBA Draft. The 76ers completed the 2025-26 common season 45-37 and reached the Japanese Convention semifinals earlier than being swept by the New York Knicks.
Miami may provide a special setting. The Warmth completed 43-39 and earned a Play-In spot, persevering with the tradition constructed below head coach Erik Spoelstra. Simmons particularly pointed to Spoelstra and the Warmth group as causes the franchise appeals to him.
There has additionally been outdoors hypothesis that Simmons could consider returning to Australia’s NBL. Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze mentioned Simmons may nonetheless make an affect abroad, describing his passing capacity as just like that of Magic Johnson and suggesting the NBL may assist rebuild his profession.
A profitable season in Australia may probably strengthen Simmons’ path again to the NBA and into consideration for the Australian nationwide crew forward of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
