Former All-Star guard Ben Simmons is contemplating ending his NBA career before the 2025-26 season even as he continues to assess free-agency options, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
Knicks still in the mix
League sources tell Bondy that only the New York Knicks and one additional club have shown recent interest in the 28-year-old. Earlier reports from NBA insider Marc Stein in July indicated that Boston, New York and Sacramento had explored the possibility of signing Simmons, and that Phoenix had also held discussions. SNY’s Ian Begley reported last month that New York’s front office has maintained “strong interest” while awaiting Simmons’ decision.
Stints with Nets and Clippers last season
Simmons opened the 2024-25 campaign with the Brooklyn Nets, appearing in 33 games and starting 24 before accepting a contract buyout. He then joined the Los Angeles Clippers and played 18 games off the bench. Across the 51 total contests, he averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 22.0 minutes, shooting 52.0% from the field and 72.7% at the line.
Career trajectory
Selected first overall by Philadelphia in the 2016 draft, Simmons earned three All-Star selections, two All-Defensive honors and one All-NBA Third Team nod with the 76ers. He missed the entire 2021-22 season because of a contract holdout and a back injury that later required surgery. Philadelphia traded him to Brooklyn in September 2022.
During his first two seasons with the Nets, the LSU product logged just 57 games and underwent a second back procedure near the end of the 2023-24 schedule. Over 383 career regular-season games (344 starts) with the Sixers, Nets and Clippers, he holds averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks.
Potential minimum deal
If Simmons opts to continue playing, he is expected to command a veteran minimum contract. New York, coming off a six-game loss to Indiana in the 2025 Eastern Conference finals, dismissed head coach Tom Thibodeau and hired Mike Brown in the offseason. The Knicks are scheduled to open training camp on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Source: Basketball Insiders
