Ben Simmons, an unrestricted free agent, is “probably” going to sign with a new team by next week, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Threads (hat tip to Brian Robb of MassLive).
Windhorst mentioned the Kings, Suns, Knicks and Celtics as teams that have been linked to Simmons, confirming previous reporting from Jake Fischer and Marc Stein.
Simmons is a three-time All-Star who has made a pair of All-Defensive first teams and was the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up in 2021, but he has battled back issues in recent years and has been a tricky fit in lineups that feature any other non-shooters. In 51 total appearances for the Nets and Clippers last season, he averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game.
In a subscriber-0nly story for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Keith Pompey takes a look at how Simmons’ career has been derailed, with back injuries the primary culprit. While he’s no longer the player he once was, the 29-year-old remains a talented and versatile defender, according to Pompey, who writes that Simmons is still worthy of an NBA roster spot.
Simmons seems likely to receive a minimum-salary contract from whichever team he picks, considering the former No. 1 overall pick has become a “situational role player,” as Pompey puts it.
He is the poster child of sabotaging your own career. Literally quit because he was called out for not working on his game
How do you “sabotage your career” and make over 200M by 29 years old?
He should sign with the Washington Generals so he can continue to be clowned 🤡 every time he sets foot on the court.
Tough choice between the Guangdong tigers or shanghai sharks
he’s not THAT bad, cmon
Or all the NBA teams that want to sign him.
I dont even know why he is still in the league and why teams are still getting lured to still take him. The magic of number one pick. Must be nice to have that aura. He is damaged goods.
No one is rushing to sign Markelle Fultz… so don’t buy the hype about Simmons either. He’ll be lucky to get a veteran’s minimum deal at this point.
He’s tall, he plays defense, and he’ll be cheap. It’s not a mystery as to why teams would be interested.
Considering his history it’s amazing even one NBA team would have interest.
He’s a very useful player if you can manage his non-shooting. Excellent defender 1-4, good rebounder, and superb passer. Just cannot shoot.
Him not being able to shoot isn’t the problem, it’s the fact that he doesn’t shoot at all.
In a league where the entire offense is built on stretching the floor. He puts his team at a severe disadvantage by not taking any threes at all. When teams can leave you wide open and not think for one second that you’re going to make them pay for it. It allows them to double team and rotate that much easier.
It’s not even about 3s.. it’s about any shot. He has no interest in the hoop. Once he crosses midcourt he’s looking to get rid of the ball. But like you said, it presents problems because no one has to guard him. Imagine not being savvy enough to take advantage of that… or not being willing or able to, whatever his psychosis is.
His FGA and FTA numbers have absolutely cratered since his playoff choke. The ball is a hot potato in his hands
Jacksson13:
We’re talking about teams offering him a minimum contract and limited minutes.
I hoped the Pacers would take a look at him to replace Halliburton. Less scoring, but better D. He could also add some rebounding that we lost.
Headlines next week: He decides to sign with a team but that team did not agree to signing him.
Who cares ? the guy is as useless as a $3 bill and softer than toilet paper.
Never mind whatever talent, skill he has left or what very limited role he can still play …. Ben Simmons doesn’t deserve to play in the NBA.
Always get a good chuckle when I see “three-time All-Star” and “Ben Simmons” in the same sentence.
Why? He deserved each of those all-star selections
He probably gets a good chuckle that you care.
Lakers.
I doubt highly he’s considering the Knicks for whatever reason players still don’t want to play in New York from a buy-out standpoint. IMO, I would rather have Beal instead of Clarkson, but he didn’t want to come. Seriously, the Knicks will either bring back Shamet or Payne no one of any significance coming to New York. Maybe Dolan is still the problem
mlbnyyfan:
It’s a lack of minutes. Players don’t want to go to a team that isn’t going to offer them a clear path to minutes and a clear role where they then can get a better contract the following season. Otherwise, there’s no thing where players don’t want to come to New York. I’m not sure what examples you’re thinking of. Again, a guy like Beal is going to get more minutes elsewhere than with the Knicks.
I sure hope he’s not interested in the Knicks. We couldn’t have afforded Beal, he got more than the minimum from the Clippers
Luka / LeBron ‘s boot camp for ben … brilliant
Why not? They could use a versatile defender at the 4… he brings unique traits, rebounds well, instinctive passer who finds the open man. If he’s invested, could be a fit for a limited minutes 8th man. Replace some of DFS’s minutes.
He could have become a Draymond-like player. He has better handles and passing. Dray can at least hit a 3 here and there despite an ugly shot. How does someone with so many different skills on the court decide nope I will never develop a corner 3, nope, and nope. Maybe he had a genuine back injury, which is a serious issue for anyone who has experienced it, but, bro — all you needed was a corner 3 at like 33%. He acted like it was just too much work for him.
The not being able to hit a shot thing is a big deal. And of course Draymond is a beast of a human being which is what really lets him be him. Ben is much much less than that.
Jazz, wiz, wolves.
People forget he’s 2 time nba all defense 1st team and a DPOY runner up. And the reason they forget is because he could be standing under an open basket with the ball and won’t even look up even though he’s 6’10”.
I’d like to try Ben Simmons on the Celtics — his height, his defense, his passing — but only at a minimum contract because of his bad back. This the year for the Celtics to unearth talent anywhere.
Useful player next season or tank commander this season… win-win.
Net-negative player.
im going to say it no team should sign him because you never know when he will need to leave to take a mental health break. I get it that mental health is nothing to joke or make fun of but these guys get paid millions and can afford to hire someone to help them through it. Think its called getting a thick skin. It’s no different if they get a career ending injury. That’s what the salary is partly about having enough to take care of you for the rest of your life. It’s on them if they go out and spend it on stupid stuff.
I don’t judge the guy, not everyone is built for high-level competition. Wild that he got as far as he did. But I sure don’t want him on the Knicks
I would prefer not to see him in the league. I would rather they give money to someone that actually wants to play basketball like there’s guys in it just for the money, but they still try to contribute and win, but they may not be as invested in the outcome like it’s not chip or bust for them. This dude is just there for the money, he doesn’t even care if he’s a DNP CD.
Back injuries being the primary culprit?!?! What?!?! it’s his lack of shooting and killer instinct that’s been the primary culprit
Why not both?
I think it would be hilarious to see him in a Celtics uniform. Can we get Markelle Fultz, too?
Can Fultz play PF?