What Could Have Been: With Rumors of Retirement, A Look Back on Ben Simmons' NBA Career

Ben Simmons was supposed to be the modern-day version of Magic Johnson. At 6’10” with elite court vision, high-octane athleticism, and defensive instincts, and a body capable of guarding multiple positions, he seemed unstoppable. Entering the league as the top pick of the 2016 NBA Draft after one season with the LSU Tigers, Simmons had all the tools to redefine the point guard position.

After sitting out the 2016-17 season due to a broken foot, Simmons beat out Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum for the NBA Rookie of the Year award, averaging 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. While his shooting, or lack thereof, was still in question, Simmons still found a way to contribute offensively, attacking the hoop for dunks and layups. Add in his creativity on fast breaks, the no-look passes, and the chase-down blocks, and the Sixers had their point guard of the future. Pairing him up with Joel Embiid brought back memories of Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Over the next three seasons, Simmons would turn himself into a three-time NBA All-Star, a two-time member of the All-Defensive team, and a member of the 2019-20 All-NBA team. Yet despite all of the individual accolades and his part in helping the team to three deep playoff appearances in three of his four seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, it didn’t seem like Simmons could please the fans or even his coaches enough with his lack of three-point shooting and his growing list of injuries. 

Then came the 2021 playoffs and, more specifically, the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, where Simmons became a shell of his former self. While many had questioned Simmons' commitment to the game as far back as his time at LSU, they had even more questions when he decided to pass up a wide-open dunk attempt because he appeared to be afraid of getting fouled and having to go to the free-throw line.

That moment brought to light everything that had been simmering for years: the lack of confidence by the fans, his teammates, and the coaches, the injuries, and the passion to compete. Here was a player with all the physical gifts that now looked like a little boy taking to the court for the first time, rather than one of the elite players on the basketball world’s biggest stage.

Stating mental health concerns, Simmons and the Sixers' relationship turned ugly as he sat out the 2021-22 season. Demanding a trade, Simmons eventually made his way to Brooklyn midway through the year, but rather than getting a fresh start, the troubles seemed to follow him. Diagnosed with a herniated disk in his back, Simmons' debut with the Nets would have to wait until the following season. 

Unfortunately for the Nets, Simmons never bounced back to his former self, playing just 90 games in two and a half seasons, averaging just 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. The explosiveness and flash that once made him special seemed to be an increasingly rare occurrence, whether that was due to his physical limitations or mental roadblocks. And his shooting, which was once questioned, has now become a running joke on sports talk shows as he has attempted five shots or fewer a night.

By 2024, it was clear that the Brooklyn experiment had failed despite the team paying him $124 million during his tenure. Waived by the Nets midway through the season, Simmons signed a free agent contract with the LA Clippers two days later. Appearing in just 18 games, the Australian was limited to spot minutes off the bench. 

With the 2025-26 season just a month away, rumors are circulating about Simmons turning down what seems to be his last opportunity to stay in the league with the New York Knicks. For someone who has struggled with his mental and emotional state during his time in Philadelphia, playing in front of the raucous New York fans and media may not be the best fit for Simmons. If, in fact, this is the end of Simmons' NBA career, it has been one of both triumph and tragedy. After his first few seasons in Philadelphia, which hinted at greatness, Simmons, his teams, and basketball fans were left wondering what could have been.