Only a staunch fan who pays attention to every detail in the NBA would know which teams Ben Simmons has played with over the past couple of years. Not because he’s been on multiple teams (only two: The Nets and the Clippers since leaving Philly). But he barely suits up for games. The 2016 No. 1 Draft pick has been standing alone on an island of irrelevancy, an unfortunate predicament given how much promise he had shown.
Advertisement
Simmons, who had long been touted as a future face of the Philadelphia 76ers, left the franchise in 2022 to join the Brooklyn Nets. He remained with them till the 2024-25 season.
Simmons spent half of the last campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers and has remained without any suitors for the upcoming season. Looking closely at his career trajectory, it is understandable why.
Simmons has struggled with injuries. Back problems plagued his Brooklyn years. He has missed entire seasons, and there have been times when he was medically cleared but voluntarily stayed away from basketball due to mental health struggles. That has led Theo Pinson to believe the 29-year-old’s basketball career may be over.
Simmons’ last few years in Philadelphia were tough. He often looked like he did not want to get back on the court, which seemed baffling to some because of how talented he was. The forward’s confidence spiraled, and in 2021, he requested a trade to Brooklyn, where he became a shadow of his former self. Simmons went from averaging 15-20 PPG to single-digit production.
Speaking about Simmons’ mental state, Pinson said on ToTheBaha, “He can’t have a bad game… and that’s not possible. Cuz LeBron James, Kevin Durant, the best players, have that game.”
The former Dallas Mavericks player explained that for someone who has declined as much as Simmons in recent seasons, bad games are inevitable, and he has to learn to accept them. Instead, he does not. “It’s unfair, but he’s a laughing stock at this point,” added Pinson.
Theo Pinson believes Ben Simmons’ playing career with the NBA might be over.
“He can’t have a bad game, and that’s not possible.”
“It’s unfair, but he’s a laughing stock at this point.”
“The ***** is scared to attempt a 3… Philly f****d him up.”
[via. @ToTheBaha ] pic.twitter.com/l3eEaOFCtt
— BASKETBALL ON (@BASKETBALLonX) September 22, 2025
Physical issues started Simmons’ downfall, and over time, his self-belief was shattered. Combine that with being the butt of so many jokes in the NBA community, and you can’t help but feel for him.
Though he is currently without a team, Simmons has insisted he is still very much an active player. On Instagram, a fan asked him if he had retired, and Simmons simply replied, “No.”
Ben Simmons is NOT retired
(h/t @CourtsideBuzzX) pic.twitter.com/SG0cC5aaCD
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 15, 2025
But is there any team out there that wants him? The New York Knicks were reportedly interested in signing him on a lesser salary and reduced role, but Simmons rejected the offer, which also led to his agent leaving him.
For someone who has averaged just 6.9, 6.1, and 5 points per game over the last three seasons, it should have been a no-brainer. But Simmons believes he deserves more.
Perhaps that is a good sign. He may be waking up and realizing how good he can be. Hopefully, the jokes and laughter will stop, Simmons will get over his injury and mental health issues, and rediscover why he was the first pick of the 2016 Draft.
