Because the Philadelphia 76ers start the 2025-26 season, one in every of their high-profile former gamers continues to be with out a job within the NBA. Former Sixers primary general decide Ben Simmons has but to be signed and finds himself out of the league simply eight years after being drafted.
That may be a surprising final result, contemplating that he was an All-NBA participant simply 5 years in the past and continues to be in his mid-20s. Gamers with that caliber of resume and that younger are likely to go on to have Corridor of Fame-caliber careers.
That being stated, Simmons has been a prepare wreck for the reason that 2021 playoffs. After his well-known meltdown towards the Atlanta Hawks within the Jap Convention semi-finals, Simmons has not been the identical participant since.
The Philadelphia 76ers do not miss Ben Simmons in any respect
He sat out to begin the 2022-23 season and later handled a again damage that resulted in him being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. There, he was largely ineffective in his two and a half seasons there.
He later signed with the L.A. Clippers however was equally as unimpactful. Now, with the 25-26 season beginning up, Simmons seems unlikely to discover a function on a roster.
That’s not to say that he will not play in any respect this season. In any case, groups cope with accidents on a regular basis, and he’s a 6’11” level guard who would possibly be capable of assist a group in want of extra playmaking.
Is Ben Simmons’ NBA profession already over?
That being stated, groups had the chance to signal him, however none of them had been all for doing so, save for the New York Knicks. That was virtually actually a minimal non-guaranteed contract, with him having to face stiff competitors to make the roster.
At this level, his profession is already over whereas issues are wanting up for the 76ers. Joel Embiid seems wholesome, and Paul George is shut to creating his return. Having each of these gamers wholesome, mixed with a younger star in Tyrese Maxey and third general decide V.J. Edgecombe, and there’s a lot to be optimistic about.
Whereas the Sixers are removed from true contenders, they now discover themselves in a much better place than Simmons is. That’s not to say they would not have been in a greater scenario had Simmons not melted down.
However all issues thought of, they managed to pivot away from him with out struggling any damaging results. Simmons, then again, could not play one other NBA recreation, probably marking a wild finish to what was as soon as a promising profession.
