Ben Simmons Is Teasing An NBA Comeback At 29

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 10: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Getty Images

Ben Simmons Is Teasing An NBA Comeback At 29

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jun 30, 2026 2:12 PM ET

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After a year away from the NBA, Ben Simmons is eyeing a comeback.

Simmons spent the 2025-26 season out of the league after playing just 18 games off the Los Angeles Clippers' bench the previous year. Struggles with physical and mental health derailed a promising start to the former No. 1 pick's career.

The three-time All-Star is now gearing up for a return. Simmons told Men's Health's Clay Skipper that he's training to play again after taking time off to "find myself again."

"I plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my a** on the court, and then the team realizing that my abilities will be needed," Simmons said. "I don't have a plan on where."

Simmons considered returning to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he played four seasons before getting traded to the Brooklyn Nets after holding out in 2021-22. He's also interested in joining the Miami Heat.

"Maybe I'll go back to Philly," Simmons said. "Miami would be nice. And not because it's Miami. I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organization, I like the culture."

"That's in my DNA"

Simmons looked like a future superstar when earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2017-18. The multi-dimensional guard never made a single three-pointer, but he still impacted all areas of the game by averaging 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game with the 76ers.

"When I'm out there, I make everybody better," Simmons told Men's Health. "I play defense. I get offensive rebounds."

However, Simmons ended his 76ers career by infamously passing up an open dunk in a 2021 Game 7 playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Simmons, who was also dealing with a back injury, said he wasn't mentally prepared to play the following season amid a contract dispute.

Simmons pushed back against detractors who have questioned his commitment to basketball.

"The joy that I play with comes from being healthy," Simmons said. "How do you love something when you're f***** up? How do you love something that you do when you're incapable of doing it?"

Simmons explained that he was "second-guessing" and "overthinking" on the court with the 76ers, but he now feels "no pressure" to mount a successful comeback.

"I think this is just what I'm choosing to do, like, no one’s forcing me," Simmons said. "It's never been about, do I love playing basketball? That's never a question. That's in my DNA. I think sometimes you get over all the bull**** that comes with it, though."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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