What Happened to Ben Simmons?
Ben Simmons, a highly touted former No. 1 NBA draft pick and three-time All-Star, has seen his basketball career significantly impacted by injuries and a prolonged holdout. After stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and a brief period with the Los Angeles Clippers, he is currently an unsigned NBA free agent as of May 2026, having recently achieved success in professional sport fishing.
Quick Answer
Ben Simmons is currently an unsigned NBA free agent as of May 2026, not officially retired from basketball. His NBA career was marked by significant injuries, including back issues, and a contentious holdout with the Philadelphia 76ers. After his contract was bought out by the Brooklyn Nets in February 2025, he briefly played for the Los Angeles Clippers. Most recently, in May 2026, Simmons won the Walker's Cay Open, a prestigious Bahamian fishing tournament, as the controlling owner of the South Florida Sails team.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Drafted 1st Overall by Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons was selected as the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Suffers Foot Injury, Misses Rookie Season
Simmons fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during training camp, leading him to miss the entire 2016-17 NBA season.
Named NBA Rookie of the Year
After his delayed debut, Simmons had an impressive rookie season, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Signs Max Extension with 76ers
Simmons agreed to a five-year, $170 million contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers, set to begin after the 2019-20 season.
Crown Casino Racial Profiling Incident
Simmons alleged racial profiling at Melbourne's Crown Casino after he and his Black friends were denied entry while a white friend was allowed in.
Holdout from Philadelphia 76ers
Following a disappointing playoff performance and trade demands, Simmons held out from the 76ers, refusing to play and citing mental health concerns.
Traded to Brooklyn Nets
Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, along with Andre Drummond and Seth Curry, in exchange for James Harden and Paul Millsap.
Undergoes Back Surgery
Simmons underwent back surgery to address a herniated disk, delaying his debut with the Nets.
Back Impingement Setback with Nets
The Nets announced Simmons would be out for an extended period due to a nerve impingement in his lower back, a recurring issue.
Nets Buy Out Contract, Signs with Clippers
The Brooklyn Nets bought out the remainder of Simmons' contract, and he subsequently signed a one-year veteran minimum contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Last NBA Game Played
Simmons played his last NBA game for the Los Angeles Clippers against the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.
Instagram Post from Miami
Simmons posted on Instagram from Miami with the caption 'Offline more than on,' showing photos that did not include basketball.
Wins Walker's Cay Open Fishing Tournament
As the controlling owner of the South Florida Sails team, Ben Simmons won the 2026 Walker's Cay Open, a prestigious Bahamian fishing tournament, catching six blue marlin.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Ben Simmons' professional journey began with immense promise after being selected as the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite missing his entire rookie season due to a foot injury, he quickly established himself as a formidable talent, earning NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018 and subsequently becoming a three-time All-Star (2019-2021), All-NBA Third Team selection (2020), and a two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member (2020, 2021).
A pivotal turning point in Simmons' career occurred following the 2020-21 season, marked by a playoff disappointment where his reluctance to shoot and pass up an open dunk became a significant talking point. This led to a contentious holdout from the 76ers, citing mental health issues and a desire to be traded. He eventually sat out the entire 2021-22 season with Philadelphia before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022 as part of a blockbuster deal for James Harden.
His tenure with the Nets was plagued by recurring back and knee injuries, significantly limiting his on-court availability and effectiveness. He underwent back surgery in May 2022 and continued to battle nerve impingements and other physical setbacks, playing only 90 games for the Nets across parts of three seasons. His performance declined, averaging career lows in points, rebounds, and assists. In February 2025, the Nets bought out the remainder of his substantial five-year, $177 million contract extension, which he had signed with the 76ers in July 2019.
Following the buyout, Simmons signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in February 2025, playing 18 games for them during the 2024-25 season. His last NBA game was on May 30, 2025, against the Denver Nuggets, where he played limited minutes before being a DNP-coach's decision in subsequent playoff games. As of May 2026, Ben Simmons is an unrestricted NBA free agent and did not play in the 2025-26 NBA season.
While his NBA future remains uncertain, Simmons has found a new passion and competitive outlet in professional fishing. He became the controlling owner of the South Florida Sails team in the Sport Fishing Championship. On May 19, 2026, his team won the 2026 Walker's Cay Open in The Bahamas, catching six blue marlin and three sailfish. Simmons has stated he is working towards a potential NBA return but wants to reach his physical peak, suggesting he is not rushing back to the league.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Ben Simmons made different choices?