Ben Simmons. Image via: Alex Goodlett/GettyImages Ben Simmons is facing an uncertain future in the NBA. At just 29, the three-time All-Star and former No. 1 overall pick is weighing retirement despite reported interest from teams like the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. Once hailed as the next great two-way point forward, Simmons’ decline, fueled by back injuries, confidence issues, and now an agent split, has sparked troubling questions about whether fans have seen him on an NBA court for the last time.
Ben Simmons struggles to find his place again
Ben Simmons. Image via: Getty Images
Ben Simmons’ career has been a rollercoaster. Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, he quickly became Rookie of the Year, an All-Defensive standout, and one of the most versatile playmakers in the league. But since his 2021 playoff collapse against the Atlanta Hawks, his trajectory has changed dramatically. The Sixers shipped him to Brooklyn in exchange for James Harden, and later he landed with the Los Angeles Clippers. His 2024–25 season ended with just 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds across 51 games, a far cry from his near triple-double prime.Former NBA guard Jeff Teague didn’t mince words when asked about Simmons’ future. “Yeah it’s over bro y’all seen him when he was playing. He can’t move no more,” Teague said on the Club 520 podcast. “He runs like people on 2K. If you’ve got Kawhi’s motion style, you know what I’m talking about. You run like your back hurts. He runs like his back hurts. He’s hurt, I used to always be like okay whatever, but no, he’s legit hurt. What made him effective was pushing the ball and being dynamic in transition and he can’t do that anymore. Or he doesn’t have the opportunity, like nobody believes it.”His injury battles and confidence struggles have left him without the explosive edge that once defined his game. To make matters worse, Simmons recently split with agent Bernie Lee, a move that further clouds his chances of securing a stable contract.
New York Knicks and Boston Celtics show interest as retirement looms
Ben Simmons. Image via: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Despite his decline, Simmons has not been short on suitors. According to the New York Post, the Knicks have reportedly floated a deal worth more than $5 million annually, while the Celtics have evaluated him as a stopgap option with Jayson Tatum sidelined for much of next season. Still, Simmons is said to be questioning whether he wants to continue playing.Also Read: James Harden’s Houston restaurant Thirteen locked out after landlord alleges more than $2.2 million in unpaid rentFinancially, Simmons is secure. He has earned more than $200 million in his career, and if he accepts a veteran minimum, he could still land around $3.3 million next season.