After a year away from basketball, former Nets guard Ben Simmons says he's healthy, motivated, and ready for an NBA comeback. The three-time All-Star also opened up about his injuries and surprisingly floated a possible return to Philadelphia.
Former Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons is preparing for another shot in the NBA after spending the entire 2025-26 season away from the game, saying he finally feels healthy again and is determined to prove he still belongs on an NBA roster.
In a recent interview with Men's Health, Simmons opened up about the physical and mental toll injuries have taken on his career, his decision to step away from basketball last season, and why he believes he can still be a valuable contributor despite years of setbacks.
"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 said. "I don't have a plan on where."
The 29-year-old explained that he spent the past year focusing on his recovery after years of battling back issues that limited his availability and effectiveness. Simmons said watching this year's NBA Playoffs reignited his competitive drive and convinced him that he still has more to give.
"Watching the playoffs gave me a little bit of juice to wanna compete at that level," Simmons said. "I'm like, I can compete with any of these guys."
Although Simmons said he doesn't have a specific destination in mind, he did mention two teams he'd be interested in joining.
"Maybe I'll go back to Philly," Simmons said. "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' comments come after a career defined as much by injuries as by the immense potential that once made him one of the NBA's brightest young stars. After earning three consecutive All-Star selections with the Philadelphia 76ers, his career took a dramatic turn following Philadelphia's second-round playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks in 2021.
The former No. 1 overall pick was heavily criticized after passing up an open dunk late in Game 7, a moment many viewed as symbolic of his declining confidence. Simmons, however, pushed back on that narrative, insisting his struggles had far more to do with his physical condition than his mental state.
"I was injured," Simmons said. "So many people speak about confidence. If I was not confident, I would not get on the court again, I wouldn't go to the Clippers, I wouldn't play in Brooklyn. It's health. It's just being healthy."
According to Simmons, the nerve damage in his back affected virtually every aspect of his game.
"Go and get a rebound. Dunk the ball. Guard. Play defense. Be physical," Simmons said. "Everything you need to be a basketball player. It felt like I was just kinda out there as a body."
After demanding a trade from Philadelphia, Simmons was dealt to the Nets in February 2022 as part of the blockbuster trade that sent James Harden to the 76ers. Although Brooklyn hoped Simmons could help form a new core alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, injuries prevented that vision from ever materializing.
Simmons missed the remainder of the 2021-22 season after the trade and appeared in just 90 regular-season games across three seasons with Brooklyn. He averaged 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists during his time with the Nets before the organization reached a buyout agreement with him in February 2025.
He finished the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, appearing in 18 games before remaining unsigned throughout the entire 2025-26 campaign.
Instead of attempting to immediately return to the court, Simmons chose to take a step back from basketball altogether.
"I needed to get away, and have some space, and just find myself again," Simmons said.
The year away also allowed Simmons to focus on his recovery without the constant pressure that had followed him throughout the latter stages of his career. He said he finally feels healthy again after multiple back procedures and years of playing through pain.
"You kind of fall into it just being a normal thing, and then you're like, 'Oh, wow, like this is how I really should be feeling,'" Simmons said. "So it's cool to feel that now."
Despite being away from the NBA for more than a year, Simmons remains confident that he can still impact winning.
"When I'm out there, I make everybody better," Simmons said. "I play defense. I get offensive rebounds."
A three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive Team selection, and the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year, Simmons owns career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists across 365 regular-season games.
Now entering free agency once again, Simmons says his focus isn't on proving doubters wrong or chasing a specific destination. Instead, his goal is simply earning another opportunity.
"I think this is just what I'm choosing to do, like, no one's forcing me," Simmons said. "It's never been about, do I love playing basketball? That's never a question. That's in my DNA. I think sometimes you get over all the bulls--t that comes with it, though."
For now, Simmons' focus is on proving his body can once again match the talent that once made him one of the NBA's brightest young stars. Whether that leads to another NBA opportunity remains to be seen, but after a year away from the game, Simmons has made it clear he isn't ready to walk away from basketball.
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