Nine years ago, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Ben Simmons with the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Philadelphia believed him and Joel Embiid to be its cornerstones for years to come. Now, Simmons’ NBA career may be in serious jeopardy.
Simmons is one of the few high-profile free agents remaining who have yet to find a new home with training camp approaching. His chances of doing so dramatically decreased on Thursday. Marc Stein reported that Simmons’ agent Bernie Lee informed the National Basketball Players Association that he has formally removed himself from their ledger as Simmons’ agent. Without representation and holding little negotiation power, Simmons finds himself in a tough situation.
Simmons’ career was already going downhill
However, what seems like a death sentence to many may play out in his favor.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported that Simmons is considering retirement from the NBA. This may be a shock, but Simmons’ career was on a downward trajectory since he passed up an easy layup opportunity in Game 7 of the 2020-21 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the 76ers and Atlanta Hawks.
Simmons requested a trade from Philadelphia ahead of the 2021-22 season and did not report to training camp. He, along with Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and first-round picks from the 2023 (Brice Sensabaugh) and 2027 drafts, were traded to the Brooklyn Nets primarily for James Harden and Paul Millsap on February 10, 2022.
Simmons averaged less than seven points per game in his two full seasons with the Nets. He suffered a back injury at some point during the 2021-22 campaign, which sidelined him for the year. Simmons never made a full recovery as he played a combined 57 contests for the next two seasons. His once-respected defense regressed and he failed to take a stride offensively, which haunted him the day he entered the league.
Brooklyn fully embraced a rebuild last season and waived Simmons on February 8th. The Los Angeles Clippers signed him to a one-year contract two days later, but a change of scenery did little good. Simmons played 18 games in Los Angeles and averaged a career-worst 2.9 points per game.
It’s surreal
This is the player who was once thought to be the second coming of LeBron James and Magic Johnson. Simmons failed to take the required steps to reach his full potential. His inability to develop a jumpshot not only held him back, but it also limited Philadelphia’s ceiling.
Regardless of what’s next for Simmons, his career will be a cautionary tale for teams and prospects alike.