Ben Simmons was once recognized as one of the NBA’s standout players during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, earning a spot in the NBA All-Star Game three times in his first four seasons. Despite this early promise, his relationship with the franchise deteriorated significantly after the 2020-21 season, marked by mental health challenges and on-court struggles.
Simmons revealed to the 76ers that he was not mentally ready to return to play, a sentiment shared mutually between him, the team, and coach Doc Rivers. This admission reflected the complicated nature of his situation.
Ben Simmons told the 76ers he does not yet feel mentally ready to play after a conversation with the team and Doc Rivers in which everyone accepted responsibility for the situation, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/OZOfXeL73A
Isiah Thomas’ Perspective on Simmons’ Value
In a 2021 interview with Shaquille O’Neal on NBA on TNT, Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas offered insights into how Philadelphia could have handled the Simmons situation differently. Thomas expressed a willingness to acquire Simmons if he were managing another franchise, emphasizing Simmons’ defensive skills and playmaking abilities.
I absolutely trade for Ben Simmons… To me, Ben Simmons is not a broken player. He was their best defender, he was an All-Star and he led them in assists.
—Isiah Thomas, NBA Legend
Simmons’ Struggles Since Leaving Philadelphia
Despite Thomas’ optimism, Ben Simmons has not been able to regain his previous All-Star level of performance following his trade to the Brooklyn Nets in 2022. Over parts of four seasons in Philadelphia, and then moving to Brooklyn, his career trajectory has been unstable. After being bought out of his contract early this year, Simmons finished the most recent season with the LA Clippers as a free agent.
His stats with the Nets were underwhelming for a player with his early promise.
The Ben Simmons Nets era is over:- 6.5 PPG- 6.3 APG- 6.2 RPG- $86.3M madeInsane.
—Legion Hoops, February 8
Overall, Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in 51 appearances, shooting 52.0% from the field. As of early August, he remains unsigned and faces an uncertain future in the NBA.
The Road Ahead for Ben Simmons and His NBA Prospects
Ben Simmons’ NBA career struggles highlight the complexities athletes face beyond their raw talent, including mental health and team dynamics. While Isiah Thomas maintains confidence in Simmons’ abilities, the former All-Star player’s recent performance challenges that view. How Simmons adapts moving forward will be closely watched, as teams consider whether he can overcome these obstacles to return to his earlier form.