Trade window opens door for Ben Simmons return

• ‍Ben Simmons' stunning comment on 76ers reunion‍
• Bill Simmons' dire takedown of unsigned Ben Simmons‍
• Could the Kings be a potential Ben Simmons suitor?

Australian Ben Simmons is potentially days away from signing with an NBA team as the 2025-26 trade window opens in the US on Tuesday, December 16 (AEDT).

Simmons, 29, is eligible to sign with a team now but the trade window opening means teams can start moving players, opening up an opportunity for the No2 ranked free agent to sign a veteran minimum with a team that could use the point-forward's playmaking ability off the bench.

The man, who became a three-time NBA All-Star at the 76ers, stunned fans with a comment on his Instagram page last week where he responded to a question asking if he would return to play for Philadelphia if the team wanted him back on a minimum contract.

"It ain't about the $, I'd hoop there for free," Simmons responded.

"It's deeper then what they make y'all believe which is why I keep it pushing.

"(Right now) the focus is gettin' the body to 100% before putting my health on the line again... like I have been the past few years."

Bleacher Report Top 10 Free Agents

10. Zyon Pullin

9. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

8. Kobe Bufkin

7. Dillon Jones

6. Dalano Banton

5. Mac McClung

4. Blake Hinson

3. Tristen Newton

2. Ben Simmons

1. Malik Beasley

Two-time league MVP Steve Nash, who coached Simmons at the Brooklyn Nets, said there is still life in the Australian's National Basketball Association career before the start of the season.

"I’m sure he doesn’t want it to end (here)," Nash told Australian newspaper Sunday Herald Sun.

"I don’t think it’s over.

“He’s an incredible talent. I know his back injury had an impact on him, so it’s tough to see him go.

“Maybe he’ll get a team … the hope is he finds a chance.’’

It was Nash who ran a line through Simmons' 2021-22 season on April 4 after he was diagnosed with a herniated disk in his back on March 21 .

“It was probably the perfect storm," Nash added.

“I mean, there’s probably more going on, but I couldn’t say what has put him in this position other than that you have to factor in the health.

“He came into this league with incredible vision and size, and athleticism that was elite.

“To be able to move the way he did at his size, to defend multiple positions and to make his teammates better, it was a pretty incredible and formidable combination.”

Simmons came into the league as the No1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. His rise was meteoric, winning Rookie of the Year after sitting out his first season with injury. He signed a maximum USD $177.2M rookie extension in 2019.

Rookie Contract (Philadelphia 76ers)

• Drafted: 2016, No. 1 overall by the 76ers
• Contract: 4 years, (USD) $26.6M (rookie scale)
• Details: Signed July 2016. First two years guaranteed (~$16.4M), final two years team options.
• Notes: Missed entire rookie season (2016–17) due to foot injury.

Rookie Extension (Philadelphia 76ers)

• Signed: July 2019
• Contract: 5-years, (USD) $177.2M max extension (Designated Rookie Scale)
• Details: Kicked in starting 2020–21 season. Fully guaranteed.
• Annual Salary Breakdown:
  • 2020–21: $30.6M
  • 2021–22: $33.0M
  • 2022–23: $35.4M
  • 2023–24: $37.9M
  • 2024–25: $40.3M

Trade to Brooklyn Nets

• Date: February 10, 2022
• Deal: Simmons traded from Philadelphia to Brooklyn in the James Harden trade.
• Contract Status: Continued playing under his 5-year, $177M extension.
• Buy-out: The Nets bought out the remainder of Simmons' contract and he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers at the trade deadline in 2025.

Simmons didn't renew or re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers in the off-season and NBA Insider Brian Windhorst said he hadn't drawn a lot of interest from other ball clubs.

Simmons has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists, is a three-time NBA All-Star, Rookie of the Year, 2019-20 All-NBA player, 2019-20 NBA Steals leader and two-time All NBA Defensive player.

“It’s not for me to say it’s a waste of talent,’’ Nash said.

“He made it to the NBA, he had some incredible seasons, he was an NBA All-Star.

“He faced a lot of pressure and scrutiny and had a back surgery, sometimes that’s all it takes to maybe knock you down a notch as far as your output. So I think it’s unfair to say he’s a wasted talent.

“He accomplished a tremendous amount in his career that most players would dream of.

“We’re not always fortunate enough for everything to be linear, to go from strength-to-strength continually.

“But let’s not forget, he was an All-Star player and had some incredible moments on the court. Some incredible seasons. He was a very unique player: size, strength, speed, passing ability.

“He was really, truly a special, special talent and had some really special years.”