Former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons is seriously considering what’s next in his career—and perhaps in life.
That’s because, according to the latest reports, Simmons is weighing retirement against the possibility of joining the New York Knicks or another “mystery” team that has expressed interest in reviving the Aussie’s career.
Simmons, 29, has battled injuries and inconsistency since being traded by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022, and according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, he is questioning
whether to continue playing at all or call it quits once and for all.
“Ben Simmons has generated interest from the Knicks and another team but is also questioning whether he even wants to continue playing in the NBA next season.” — New York Post’s Stefan Bondy
The Sixers drafted Simmons with the No. 1 pick in 2016 after a one-and-done season at LSU. He emerged as one of the league’s brightest stars early in his career, showing untapped potential and winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2018. Simmons later earned three straight All-Star selections from 2019 to 2021, and was twice named to the NBA’s All-Defensive team.
If he can find a version close to his best, he’d add an interesting combo of size, playmaking, and defense to these title-contending Knicks. That said, he’d also come with the con of having an awful lack of shooting range, which could hurt the offense at times.
The breaking point in Simmons’s career doesn’t need a reminder, does it? For the uninitiated, it came in the 2021 playoffs when the lad passed up an open dunk in Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks, leading to criticism from coach Doc Rivers and teammate Joel Embiid. He never suited up for the 76ers again and was eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden. Uh, oh.
Back injuries hit him hard and derailed his time in Brooklyn, where he underwent two surgeries and was eventually bought out before having a short stint with the cap-circumventing Los Angeles Clippers, with whom he averaged just 2.9 points in 18 games last season.
The Knicks, fresh off their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000, could bring Simmons in as a depth option under new head coach Mike Brown. He has been in the rumor mill linked to New York for a few weeks as a potential last piece to get into the squad, with one open spot still up for grabs.
New York can only offer Simmons a minimum deal, and there is no guarantee he will either pick that offer or, hell, even continue playing, given Bondy’s report.
One thing is for sure, and that’s the fact that after having made more than $200 million in career earnings, Simmons can retire more than in peace. Kudos to him.
