Free agency has been a sweet period for a lot of players, but for some others, it has been a huge slap of reality. That is most certainly the case for former Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons, who remains without a new NBA team with training camp fast approaching.
Simmons split time between the Nets and the Clippers last season, but his performance was far from flattering. Aside from his recurring back issues, he was largely not worth writing home about. He did have some moments of brilliance, but those were far and few between, leading to him barely seeing the floor when it mattered the most in the playoffs.
Simmons, who had a notably unceremonious exit from the franchise, was still believed to have a semblance of market for his services — and that was true for quite some time. A couple of teams like the Knicks and the Kings were previously rumored to have registered interest in the former All-Star, but obviously, those have not materialized into him striking a deal with either ball club.
Unfortunately, Simmons seems poised to be left in the cold when it’s all said and done in the offseason.
Former 76ers star Ben Simmons may not have a home in the league next season
Pundits are in concert in saying that Simmons will likely have to wait for an opening in the middle of the season in hopes of landing on an NBA roster. After all, it is pretty telling that he has not even been able to land a training camp deal.
Teams are evidently not high on him anymore. Thanks to his ongoing lack of utility on offense aside from playmaking which necessitates a tailor-made roster construction, the ex-Sixer will find it hard to convince an NBA front office to take a flier on him, especially if he is eyeing a big role on a team hellbent on winning.
Simmons’ best shot at redeeming himself is to somehow be able to get to a championship contender’s roster. However, that would be a bit tricky for his camp, as he will most likely need to wait for an injury or an emergency roster opening to even be in the running as a fill-in.
Things have been tough and rough for the former Philadelphia 76ers star, but Ben Simmons still has something left in the tank. While that is a tad crazy to say for a player who should technically still be in his prime, this is the reality he is facing now, whether he likes it or not.