Ben Simmons says it’s time to give the NBA one more shot. After months of rehab, the former All-Star said his No. 1 priority is to get back on the court in the best shape of his career. Simmons has been bitten by the injury bug in recent years, but he believes he can still play at a high level when he is 100 percent healthy. He said he’d rather get his fitness up and running day-to-day than jump into another deal. Simmons wants to be 100 percent before he plays for a team. He’s not just trying to come back, he’s trying to stay healthy for the whole season and show he can still be a factor.
Which Teams Does Ben Simmons Want to Play for Next?
Simmons has publicly said he has two teams in mind if he does come back. One is the Miami Heat, which he said he respects a lot. He liked the culture, discipline and competitiveness of the team, which makes Miami a good place to go. He also left the door open for a return to the Philadelphia 76ers, who drafted him No. 1 overall in 2016. Simmons said his first stint in Philadelphia didn’t work out as well as he’d like but he’s keeping an open mind on all opportunities. Fit is everything for him, he said.
What Gives Ben Simmons Confidence About His Comeback?
One big reason Simmons has been able to keep his chin up has been the support he’s gotten from NBA coaches. A couple of coaches have told me if I’m healthy, I’ve got a spot in the league, he said. Those talks have motivated him to continue training and preparing for his comeback. He’s not paying attention to what the outside world is saying he’s paying attention to what he can control. I think the best way to answer questions about my future is to stay healthy and show what I can do on the court,” he said. He believes in himself because he works every day.
What Has Happened Since Ben Simmons Last Played?
Simmons’ has had a rough few years. He also had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Clippers after being bought out by the Brooklyn Nets. But injuries continued to eat into his playing time and he couldn’t make a consistent impact. He also turned down a veteran minimum contract offer from the New York Knicks as he wanted to get his health right first. That decision shows he believes health is the top priority and that he’s better off taking his time to get back to 100 percent than rushing back into action. Simmons keeps working out as he prepares for his return, and NBA fans will be watching to see which team will give him the chance to start the next phase of his career.
Yashpal Singh brings readers closer to the action with coverage of sports news, game updates, athlete stories, team developments, and major moments from the field. From local matchups to broader sports headlines, his reporting focuses on the stories fans care about most.