Ben Simmons' NBA Comeback: Teams Show Interest as He Prepares to Return
According to American media, several NBA teams have expressed interest in the Australian forward, with one extending a training camp invitation. Simmons reports feeling better than he has in years.
After a full season away from basketball, Ben Simmons is aiming for an NBA return ahead of the 2026/27 season, and there appears to be significant interest from several teams across the league.
According to Marc J. Spears of Andscape, multiple NBA teams have expressed interest in Simmons, who has already received a training camp invitation from one of them. The 30-year-old Australian, who has not played since his stint with the Los Angeles Clippers, is reportedly willing to sign a minimum contract to secure another opportunity in the league.
Simmons' inner circle indicates that he "feels the best he has in years" after taking the 2025/26 season off to fully recover from the chronic back injuries that have plagued him and to attend to personal matters off the court.
Simmons, the first overall pick in the 2016 draft, was once one of the most prominent players in the NBA. During his time in Philadelphia, he was a three-time All-Star, a two-time All-Defensive First Team selection, and a one-time All-NBA Third Team honoree. In four seasons with the Sixers, he averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
However, his career has since declined significantly. Following his tenure in Philadelphia, he was traded to Brooklyn in a deal involving James Harden, but back and knee injuries limited him to just 90 games over parts of four seasons. In February 2025, Brooklyn waived his contract, and he moved to the Clippers, where he appeared in 18 games, averaging 2.9 points and 3.1 assists.
Alongside his comeback bid, Simmons is expected to participate this week in a players' camp for the Australian national team in Melbourne. According to ESPN, he will participate without restrictions, alongside top players such as Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Jock Landale, and Patty Mills.
The camp is not an official event held by the Australian Basketball Federation but rather an initiative by the players themselves as part of their preparations for the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
