Ben Simmons eyes NBA return, ramps up offseason preps

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons is targeting an NBA return, with an unnamed Western Conference team already inquiring about his services, as confirmed on Aug. 10, 2026.

According to ESPN senior NBA insider Marc J. Spears, the 6-foot-10 Australian point guard has been training in the offseason and received an extended camp invite from the unnamed Western Conference squad.

Aside from making his way back to the NBA, Simmons is also set to participate in a player-led private minicamp for the Australian men’s national basketball team.

Spears added that Simmons is willing to sign any available contract in the NBA, even a veteran minimum deal amounting to USD 3.88 million for players with 10 or more years in the league.

Simmons last played during the 2024-25 NBA season, averaging 5 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.

The three-time All-Star went on hiatus last NBA season after sustaining a series of lower back flare-ups and a leg injury.

Simmons reiterated that he utilized the full year off to regain his physical and mental conditioning in hopes of earning another shot in the league he used to dominate as a floor general.

The Australian ball handler reached his peak during the 2019-20 season, helping the Philadelphia 76ers make a deep run in the playoffs while averaging 16.4 points, 8 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game.

However, a fallout caused a split between Simmons and the 76ers following a disappointing 2021 playoff performance in which Philadelphia only managed to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The 76ers entered the series as heavy favorites against the Trae Young-led Atlanta Hawks, but Simmons underperformed.

Clouded by his infamous pass to Matisse Thybulle despite having a wide-open lane for a dunk in the clutch moments of Game 7, Simmons quickly heard loud boos and had to be benched by the coaching staff.

Simmons later requested a trade out of Philadelphia, citing a lack of organizational support regarding his mental well-being after the stunning semifinal exit.

After that roller-coaster ride, Simmons bounced around the league and never rekindled the fire he had during his heyday in Philadelphia.

“I plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my ass on the court, and then the team realizing that my abilities will be needed,” Simmons said in an interview with Clay Skipper of Men’s Health.