NBA scout on Ben Simmons: ‘I don’t think there’s any real interest in him’

One NBA scout thinks the Ben Simmons retirement rumors may be creeping up by design.

“I don’t think there’s any real interest in him beyond teams putting out some feelers,” the scout told Hoops Wire. “So if he does (retire), he and his agent can spin it as if it’s being done by choice.

“But I think teams are probably going to make that decision for him.”

Simmons, 29, remains unsigned with the start of training camps just a few weeks away. He has been linked to the Knicks, Kings, Warriors and a few others. But as the scout told Hoops Wire, teams may opt to go younger to fill out their rosters.

“I think if Ben were to agree to a nonguaranteed camp deal, he might get signed,” the scout said. “I know if I were a GM, I would rather see if I could find a younger, diamond-in-the-rough if I had an open roster spot.”

When Hoops Wire asked one team executive last week if he’d have interest in Simmons, he responded via text, “No. Ship has sailed.”

Either way, the scout went on to add that Simmons could still offer defense, ballhandling and “decent reserve guard play” to a contender.

“But it would have to be the right situation and he’d need to understand he may not play more than 10 minutes some nights,” the scout said. “I just don’t know if that’s something he’d want to agree to. Maybe, but I doubt it.”

Simmons split last season between the Nets and the Clippers. He played 51 games, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists.

That was the most games he logged since 2020-21, which also happened to be his last All-Star season.

According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Simmons is “unsure if he wants to continue” his career. But even if he wants to … well, the scout is right. NBA teams will still have the final say.