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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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Ben Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and was one of the best players in the league over his first few years with the Philadelphia 76ers, earning three straight All-Star nods from 2019 to 2021, third-team All-NBA honors in 2020, and back-to-back first-team All-Defensive honors in 2020 and 2021.
However, he's also battled injuries, criticism, and uncertainty from the moment the 76ers drafted him 10 years ago.
Once viewed as one of the brightest young stars in the game, his numbers have declined since leaving Philadelphia, and he played in fewer than 43 games from 2022 to 2025, splitting time between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.
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He signed with the Clippers in February 2025 after being waived by the Nets and played just 18 games in LA averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.7 steals in 22.0 minutes per game. Over four years in Philly, he averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.7 steals in 33.9 minutes per game, marking a signifcant drop-off for the former All-Star.
That was the last time he played in the league, becoming a free agent at the end of the season and not re-signing with any franchise. But now, he's reportedly eyeing a return to the league and has two teams on his mind, the 76ers and the Miami Heat.
"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," Simmons said in a recent interview with Men's Health Magazine. "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."
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Alongside Joel Embiid, Simmons helped turn Philly into perennial contenders. But his relationship with the organization quickly deteriorated, as he sat out multiple games while requesting a trade that eventually sent him to Brooklyn in exchange for James Harden. A reunion with the 76ers would be one of the NBA's most unexpected redemption stories.
Miami, meanwhile, would be especially intriguing given that they just traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo, still have Bam Adebayo, and need more depth and playmaking. Even after the blockbuster deal for Giannis, many around the league still view them as a few pieces away from competing for a title. And Spoelstra has a history of getting the most out of his players.
If healthy, Simmons' size, defensive versatility, and transition playmaking could complement either roster, with both expected to be competitive in 2026-27. He's still just 29 years old, and it would be a low-risk gamble for both franchises.
"You can't teach 6-foot-10 and IQ," he added in his sit-down with Men's Health Magazine.
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