Ben Simmons' Agent Reportedly Cuts Ties amid Rumors Ex-All-Star Is Weighing Retirement
As Ben Simmons weighs whether or not he wants to continue his NBA career, he will need new representation regardless of what his next steps are going to be.
Per NBA insider Marc Stein, Bernie Lee has informed the National Basketball Players Association that he has formally removed himself from the union ledger as Simmons' agent.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported on Wednesday that Simmons has been "questioning" if he wants to continue his NBA career.
Simmons, currently a free agent, has received interest from the New York Knicks, per Bondy. The Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings had interest in the three-time All-Star early in the offseason, though it's unclear if that remains the case.
Rich Paul of Klutch Sports originally represented Simmons when he entered the NBA. The agency was involved in negotiating his five-year, $170 million max extension with the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2019.
ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported in March 2023 that Simmons and Klutch Sports mutually parted ways, with one person noting Simmons "just needed a fresh start."
Simmons hired Lee as his new agent at that time. He was coming off a brutal stretch that involved a back injury and holdout with the Sixers to start the 2021-22 season.
Philadelphia traded Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022 as part of the James Harden deal. Soon after the trade, he was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back and had surgery following the Nets' playoff loss to the Boston Celtics.
Ongoing back issues and a knee injury limited Simmons to 15 games during the 2023-24 season. He split time during the 2024-25 campaign between the Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers. His 51 games played were his most in a season since 2020-21.
Simmons has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists per contest in 383 games since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2016.
