Jeff Teague says Ben Simmons’ NBA career may be finished
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INDIANAPOLIS — Former NBA guard Jeff Teague remarked on his Club 520 podcast that he believes Ben Simmons has reached the end of the line in the league.
“You’ve got fans over here, we’d love you to come sit down and talk ’cause it’s over,” Teague said during the episode, adding that the 29-year-old “can’t move no more.”
Simmons remains without a contract as training camps approach. The former No. 1 overall pick has been linked only to minimum-salary interest from the New York Knicks and has reportedly weighed retirement. His representation status is also in flux after agent Bernie Lee withdrew from the NBPA registry earlier this summer.
Front-office doubts
An unidentified team executive told Hoops Wire he shares Teague’s view. “I think his NBA career is over,” the executive said. “That’s not meant to disparage Ben. I think he can still play and probably help someone, but there are just too many things working against him right now.” The executive added that his club has no plans to pursue Simmons.
Sharp production drop
Last season, Simmons split time between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds across 51 games. Those numbers mark a steep decline from his early years with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he won Rookie of the Year in 2018, earned three All-Star selections and twice made the All-Defensive First Team. He helped Philadelphia reach the postseason in four consecutive seasons, including a 2021 run to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Whether Simmons secures another opportunity or chooses to step away, his rapid fall from rising star to unsigned free agent underscores one of the NBA’s most notable career downturns in recent memory.
Source: Hoops Wire
