'I don’t think it’s over': NBA legend on Ben Simmons

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

Simmons, 29, is an unsigned free agent despite the 2025-26 season starting last week.

"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.

"You know, the interest has been lukewarm. There are a few teams that are interested. Frankly, if you’re looking at him as a point guard, there’s not that many teams out there that are in need of a point guard who has guaranteed playing time," ESPN's Brian Windhorst told colleague Kane Pitman.

"If you’re looking at him as sort of a defensive big man, there’s a little bit bigger of a market.

"But the reality is he’s looking at the minimum contract, which is still, you know, about (USD) $4 million for him this year.  

"He might even be forced to take a contract where he’s not guaranteed — where he would have to sort of earn his way on to the team through training camp and then maybe not know his status until midway through the season."

Nash, as part of Amazon Prime's NBA launch, said the back half of Simmons' career shouldn't ultimately define his nine-year, 383-game run.

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.”