Former No. 1 draft pick Ben Simmons has sparked speculation about his return to the NBA. He shared a cryptic message on Instagram, accompanied by a shirtless photo taken on a basketball court. ‘I wouldn’t change the story,’ he wrote, reflecting on his journey. ‘The highs, the lows, the pain, the time, the lessons. I embrace all of it.’
Simmons added, ‘Every chapter built something in me that I couldn’t have built any other way. Grateful for where I’ve been. Proud of where I stand. Ready for wherever this goes.’
The Australian talent last played for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 season. During that time, he appeared in 17 games, averaging 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 16.4 minutes per game.
Originally the No. 1 pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons faced early challenges. He missed his first season due to injury but later won the 2018 Rookie of the Year award. Philadelphia’s decision to draft Simmons meant passing over future stars like Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, and Jamal Murray, who were also part of the 2016 draft.
Both Brown and Murray have achieved championship success with their respective draft teams. Murray celebrated victory with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, while Brown earned an NBA Finals MVP award and a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024.
Ironically, the 76ers recently acquired Jaylen Brown this offseason, 10 years after initially passing on him. While Simmons has yet to win a championship, his career includes three NBA All-Star selections and two NBA All-Defensive First Team honors. Most of his career highlights occurred during his tenure with the 76ers, although he has also played for the Brooklyn Nets and Clippers.
As a free agent after the 2024-25 season, Simmons did not participate with any teams last season. His recent social media post suggests he might be open to returning, contingent on a team seeing value in his abilities.
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