Free agent Ben Simmons is looking to return to the NBA sometime this season, he told Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
“Yeah. It depends on what I want to give them, though,” he said of coming back this season. “It’s one of those things where I can go out and play and probably do really well and do important things for a team. But I want to get my body to the best it’s been. That’s the best of focus. I don’t want to have any setbacks or anything like that. That’s my major focus because I don’t think it’s good for anybody if I’m out there and I’m not 100 percent. So, for me, it’s getting to my peak physicality right now and then we’ll see what happens.”
A report surfaced in September suggesting that Simmons was weighing the possibility of retirement, but his comments to Spears indicate he’s focused on getting back to the league.
Simmons split last season with the Nets and Clippers, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 51 games. It was the most appearances he has made in a season since 2020/21, which was his last All-Star year.
Simmons was expected to be a perennial All-Star early in his career but his career was derailed by injuries, along with his offensive limitations and issues with management. His main physical issue has been back injuries — he’s had two surgical procedures done on his back.
He’s working on getting that issue resolved.
“The original time we were just approaching a lot of my rehab wrong. And I don’t think it was on the therapist. I just think we had to get a new set of eyes on it,” he said. “And a lot of it was my mobility and that nerve running through your back, through my leg. I could barely jump off it or really move around. So, where I’m at now, I’m back on court in the gym [six days per week]. It’s two-a-days right now and then on court, too. It’s exhausting, but this is the best I’ve felt in terms of the work I’ve been putting in. And so, when you see that and you’re getting rewarded for it, it keeps you in there. You want to see more. So, I feel really good. I feel like physically, mentally, I’m in a great place and I’m very blessed.”
Simmons said he was limited physically last season, even when he did play.
“I felt like I could barely really move how I wanted to. It was tough to really do what I wanted to do given where I was,” he said. “And at the same time, some people are happy with maybe you can give me a few minutes doing this and that. For me, I want to be able to do as much as I can. I don’t want to go out there knowing I’m going to play a certain amount of minutes when I know I can give more.”
As Spears details, Simmons has been doing basketball, strength, and rehabilitation workouts twice a day, six days a week, and believes it won’t be much longer before he’s ready to go.
“I’m looking maybe halfway through this year, if not next season,” he said. “Yeah, it just depends how far I can come along in that next month or so. But I’m feeling great. I haven’t had any setbacks.”
Simmons made a major change in representation, re-signing with super-agent Rich Paul and Klutch Sports while parting ways with Bernie Lee. Paul represented Simmons earlier in his career.
“I had to make a hard decision. The first thing was letting go of my original agent last summer,” he said. “I just told him right now it’s not a fit. And it was nothing personal against him at all. It was just for me, I wanted to take that time to get my body right, get my mind right, and just make that the sole focus.”
Simmons is relying on Paul to help him find another opportunity.
“I don’t think there’s any real pressure or worry. I think it’s just they felt the same way as I felt. I said, ‘I need just time to get ready and just focus on my body.’ There’s no point in going out there and not being physically able and everyone’s on the same page, so it’s just working until you’re right,” he said. “I never had any bad blood with [Klutch Sports]. It was just one of those things where it’s like, we’re men. We’re not boys. It is what it is. S–t happened. Let’s figure it out. Let’s talk. That’s how relationships figure themselves out, and you talk them through. But there’s no bad blood. It is what it is. It’s family. I fight with my family all the time and things happen.”
He is never playing another NBA game.
Agreed. Well he shouldn’t play another game. Somebody will be an idiot, And sign him, Just a guess on my part. Guy’s lame and a quitter. I wouldn’t let him contaminate any team I was running.
link to nypost.com
— Ben Simmons puts NBA return on hold for pro fishing career—
Does seem more his speed. Until he gets hurt anyway. Takes a hook through his finger or something. If they have an IL he’s got it made.
He was so good those first few years. I’d love to see him try to get back to that.
What a waste of talent…kid had it all to be great, but just didn’t care to improve his game
I dont think he had any problems with his game, he was a great player. I feel like he lost all his confidence and turned into a terrible player because of that but not his skill.
I mean he was like all nba and an all star.
He never developed a reliable jumper or three point shot. He was an absolute stud on defense and leading the transition offense. When it was time to run the half court offense, he was useless unless he could get to the rim. Elite passer and defender for sure. The Sixers tried several times to bring in coaches to help him develop a shot but he would only work with his shooting coach, his brother. They hired Drew Hanlen, a well respected shooting coach who helped Embiid develop his shooting touch and Simmons still wouldn’t work with him. Then Atlanta happened, confidence gone, the rest is history
Obviously he could have bee BETTER, I have never said but skill wise he was already a REALLY good player
If he had no improved his skills and kept his confidence he would still be an all star/all defense talent imo
Agreed 100%
He never learned to shoot – 59% from the ft line career
The NBA doesn’t need Ben Simmons.
His size at PG is going to play in this new era
It didn’t over the last couple of years so what changed?
He was injured. We are going to see more 6’10” PGs now was more my point.
He has not had the actual will to play is what I am saying. His heart has been questioned from day one. Plus there are multiple articles saying he is retiring to become a professional fisherman. That does not sound like a player with the burning desire to play in the NBA.
Ok but what does that have to do with what I was saying? You are making an entirely different point.
Well you said his size at PG will play these days. He replied with it didn’t and that he doesn’t have the will. Is it really that hard for you to understand what that would have to do with your comment?
He’s trying to talk HIMSELF into it.
He keeps speaking with a “crutch”.
Eventually he’ll say Im not gonna play because I can’t do what I want to do.
He wants to play… but he doesn’t WANT to play.
Been Simmons.
Imagine reading this headline a few years ago
“Yeah. It depends on what I want to give them, though,” that quote should really tell you everything you need to know about him. Like, he’s a talented dude but there is a disconnect between being talented and actually performing in his case.
I read that more like he doesn’t want to sign a deal and then get injured again because he came back too early
Hmm, I can see that too now that you say that. It is Ben Simmons though, whose to say what any of us can actually garner from anything he says. I want to believe in the talent but I’m also skeptical of him. He’s just, a very unpredictable guy.
I think (respectfully) he might just be like, a dumb guy IRL. Might not have a way with words. The “dumb jock” trope is mostly bogus, but it still effects some. Steph Curry had a 2.5 GPA in high school lol
I once had an employee who was out of work so often, that he left a final message on voicemail.
“I’ll be there, when I’ll be there.”
I could respect that.
I hope it doesn’t become again a daily update on his everchanging availability.
I dont understand to what end? Who does it serve to do that?
He should just enjoy his millions.
Bens back issue is a real thing. He should be playing the 3/4 only. And play to be a rotation piece. Not sure he’s up to it.
There’s a Warrior fan on here. Who thinks Looez is finished and can’t help the Warriors. I would give up Buddy for him in a minute.
Oh my – whoever signs him wins a championship – LOL
If he’s in shape, I’d definitely give him an opportunity. Especially at a minimum non guaranteed contract. His passing and defense could be an asset for many teams.,
Nah
Maybe Kerr would play him at center!
but he’s so good at permanent load management.. why mess that up by actually playing ?
Honestly guys, would the guy be putting in the work if he didn’t wanna try?
Patrick Baldwin is 7’0 tall now. Does that mean anything?
If he comes back he should legally change his name to “Ben Simmons’ Expiring Contract”
I believe that he would have been a Superstar in the 80’s when ball handlers shooting wasn’t as big a deal.
No doubt that he needed to be more dedicated and strong willed, but teams should have been a little more cognizant of his limitations and his true upside.
Maybe early Simmons when he was a SF and not playing PG. Idk though his FT shooting would hinder him worse than this era
Jazz should take him.
why? havent the jazz suffered enough?
Dudes gone fishing, literally… He’s gonna be a pro fisherman now. I hope he enjoys it more than playing in the NBA, because he certainly didn’t seem to.
His career wasn’t derailed by injuries, it was derailed by a lack of effort and a lack of interest in actually playing basketball. NBA is full of people made of glass, like Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, and Jimmy Butler. The difference is that those people at least try to play basketball.
Embiid is more of a problem with that contract than Ben Simmons is playing Xbox.
He was overpaid and under performed.U could tell if u watched him in college. He was never what they hyped him to be.