The Brooklyn Nets are entering the slower part of their offseason as they have finished with the 2026 NBA Draft, free-agency, and the summer circuit that saw them play in the California Classic and the Las Vegas Summer League. Brooklyn likely has its roster set heading into training camp in the fall, but one of its former players is looking to make a comeback to the league.
"I plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my [expletive] on the court, and then the team realizing that my abilities will be needed," Ben Simmons said to Clay Skipper of Men's Health. Simmons did not play in the NBA during the 2025-26 season as he didn't sign with a team, but there has been reports of him looking to get back into the league after taking some
time off.
"I don't have a plan on where... Maybe I'll go back to Philly. Miami would be nice. And not because it's Miami—I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organization, I like the culture," Simmons continued. Time will tell if Simmons ends up signing with the Philadelphia 76ers or Miami Heat, but either way, it seems that he is thinking more about the NBA as time goes on.
Over the past year or so, Simmons has spoken multiple times about coming back to the NBA with there even being reports of him potentially signing with the New York Knicks heading into the 2025-26 season. In his time out of the league, Simmons has taken part in professional fishing, one of his passions that he had since growing up in Australia.
Simmons, 30, spent parts of four seasons with the Nets after being sent to Brooklyn as part of a trade where James Harden went to the 76ers with both players looking for a change of scenery. While Simmons was expected to be a key member of a big three with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, it did not work out that way and the Aussie was waived during the 2024-25 season.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Former Nets F Ben Simmons discusses potentially returning to the NBA
