Ben Simmons believes he can return to the NBA, and the former No. 1 overall pick has identified the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers as teams he would welcome joining.
“I plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my ass on the court, and then the team realizing that my abilities will be needed,” Simmons told Men’s Health Mag. “Maybe I’ll go back to Philly. 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.”
Simmons spent the entire 2025-26 season without an NBA contract after finishing the previous season with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 29-year-old last appeared in the league during the 2024-25 season, splitting time between the Brooklyn Nets and Clippers while averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 51 games.
His recent production has been far removed from his early career peak, but Simmons’ résumé still includes elite seasons. In his first four full NBA seasons with the 76ers, he averaged 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists as a rookie, then posted 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists in his second season.
Simmons earned three All-Star selections, was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2020, and finished as a Defensive Player of the Year finalist twice. His 2020-21 season saw him average 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists while finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
However, injuries and offensive limitations changed the trajectory of his career. Simmons missed the 2021-22 season after his trade from Philadelphia to Brooklyn and later dealt with recurring back issues that limited his availability. Since joining the Nets, he has played only 108 games across three seasons.
A return to Philadelphia would represent a reunion with the organization that selected him first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. The 76ers finished the 2025-26 regular season 45-37 and reached the Eastern Conference semifinals before being swept by the New York Knicks.
Miami could offer a different environment. The Heat finished 43-39 and earned a Play-In spot, continuing the culture built under head coach Erik Spoelstra. Simmons specifically pointed to Spoelstra and the Heat organization as reasons the franchise appeals to him.
There has also been outside speculation that Simmons could consider returning to Australia’s NBL. Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze said Simmons could still make an impact overseas, describing his passing ability as similar to that of Magic Johnson and suggesting the NBL could help rebuild his career.
A successful season in Australia could potentially strengthen Simmons’ path back to the NBA and into consideration for the Australian national team ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
