The curious case of Ben Simmons is one of the saddest stories in the NBA today.
Once touted to be one of the next great players, Simmons has gone from future star to jobless basketball player after just eight years. Not that he’s broke, because he’s not.
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But at only 29 years old, it’s such a waste of elite talent if he never plays another game in the league.
Different people have talked about different reasons why Simmons fell off the cliff this soon. For Patrick Beverley, it’s because of injuries and the lack of confidence.
However, Pat Bev says that if Ben had not begun his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, he might not be where he is today.
“When Ben Simmons first came out, it was LeBron James comparisons. He had so much hype, and his demeanor was so chill that it was like you respected it more. His dunks made it — I wouldn’t say intimidating — but he made motherf—s second-think to jump or not. Then he got hurt and like, he didn’t want to dunk anymore,” he said recently.
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Simmons passed on a wide-open layup in Game 7 versus the Hawks in 2021
Beverley did not mention which injury, but Simmons was coming off a 17-5-6 stat line in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game when he suffered a lower back injury during a February 22, 2020, game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
He returned in the Bubble but suffered a knee injury and that was the beginning of the end.
Although Ben made the All-NBA third team and All-Defensive First Team while leading the league in steals during the 2020 season, he struggled at the free-throw line during the 2021 NBA Playoffs and shattered Shaq’s record for worst free-throw percentage in a postseason.
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In Game 7 of their second-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, Simmons did not attempt a single shot in the fourth quarter and infamously passed on a wide-open layup late in the game and came under heavy fire not only from the media but from Philly fans and his teammates and coach Doc Rivers. That led to an unceremonious exit to the Brooklyn Nets.
Beverley says that it took a toll on his confidence.
“Do you blame Philly? That’s the question. If he would’ve went to another team. And you know Philly fans, I fu—ng love Philly fans, but if you ain’t doing what you need to do for Philly, they gonna let your motherf—g a– know in a heartbeat,” Bev pointed out.
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“‘Hey, man, you stink. You’re a bum. Get in the house. Why are you having a drink with me? Get you a– in the house, get in the gym, shoot some 3’s. You stink. Hurry up.'” Beverley added.
“But I’m saying, if he would’ve went to a Charlotte to start without all of the harsh backlash that he got from fans and media and all that, he probably would’ve had a three,” Pat thinks.
Simmons is still without a team, with training camp coming up
But not only does Simmons not have a 3-point shot today, he doesn’t have a team. And if we are to believe ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, then Ben might have to settle for a non-guaranteed minimum contract just to keep his NBA career alive, that is, if that is still what he wants to do, because the demand for point guards in the league is scarce right now.
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“The interest has been lukewarm,” said Windhorst.
“There are a few interested teams. Frankly, if you’re looking at him as a point guard, there aren’t many teams out there that are in need of a point guard who is guaranteed playing time. Ask Russell Westbrook. Not that Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons are similar players, but they are two veteran free agents that are sitting on their market, because there’s not a vast need for point guards,” Brian concluded.
There were reports that Simmons refused a minimum contract from the New York Knicks, but that was refuted by the Knicks’ media. There are rumors that some teams are thinking about giving Ben another shot, but they have remained stories with training camp almost here.
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Simmons and his agent also parted ways, adding to the player’s woes.
No star in the NBA has fallen from grace as hard as Simmons has.
And yes, Philly fans can be very hard if their stars underperform.
Just ask Paul George.
However, in Simmons’ case, it’s a combination of injuries and a broken confidence.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.