Ben Simmons captured the attention of NBA fans with a stellar performance for the Philadelphia 76ers during his early years in the league. Over 275 games, he averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. However, an injury significantly affected his performance. Since 2022, Simmons has played for two different franchises without returning to peak form. Now a free agent, he faces an increasingly narrow field of opportunities in the league.
“Simmons is in a numbers crunch. He is one of the nearly 75 players who finished the regular season on a roster but are still without a home for next season. The primary reason? It starts with the 41 players selected in the draft who signed first- and second-round contracts. Those players have replaced veterans, including Simmons, on rosters for next season,” Bobby Marks reported, via ESPN.
As one of the standout figures in the free agency market, fans eagerly anticipated that any team would have secured his services. Nonetheless, Ben is still a free agent and franchises like Golden State Warriors have reportedly completed their roster. While Bobby Marks mentioned that the Los Angeles Lakers have a roster spot available for him, they will not be able to make an official move until January 18, which complicates his arrival.
How has Ben Simmons really performed in the 2024-25 NBA season?
Following a serious back injury during the 2021-22 season, Ben Simmons experienced a significant decline in performance. Over three seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, he appeared in just 90 games, never surpassing 70 games in a single season. During this period, the 29-year-old star averaged 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.
Ben Simmons in his Clippers debut.
Hoping for a fresh start, he joined the Los Angeles Clippers midway through the 2024-25 season. Unfortunately, his struggles continued, culminating in the statistically worst season of his career. Over 18 games, Simmons averaged merely 2.9 points, along with 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Consequently, the franchise opted not to retain him, choosing instead to invest in seasoned veterans like Chris Paul and Brook Lopez.
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NBA rumors: Ben Simmons reportedly has a clear preferred destination — and it’s not the Knicks
Although Ben Simmons’ performance has not met expectations, he continues to attract interest from several NBA franchises. According to insider Ian Begley, the New York Knicks are interested in his services but have set a specific condition. For this reason, the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics have also joined the conversation. However, none of the three franchises have made an official move, leaving his future somewhat uncertain.
