New Ben Simmons Rumors Reveal Interest from NBA Teams, Training Camp Invite Amid Comeback Buzz

Ben Simmons is attempting an NBA comeback ahead of the 2026-27 season, and it sounds as though there may be some interest around the league.

According to Andscape's Marc J. Spears, "several NBA teams have expressed interest" in the veteran power forward:

Simmons, 30, was one of the best players in the NBA early in his career, winning Rookie of the Year in 2017-18 while earning three All-Star nods, two first-team All-Defensive selections and one third-team All-NBA nod.

He averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game during his four seasons in Philly and was one of the NBA's elite perimeter defenders, playmakers and transition threats.

But his reluctance to shoot jumpers was a persistent theme in Philly and eventually became a hesitancy to attack offensively at all, culminating in his infamous passed-up dunk against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2020-21 season.

Following that campaign, Simmons requested and trade and ultimately held out. He didn't play for the Sixers at all in the 2021-22 season and was eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the James Harden deal.

But Simmons barely played in Brooklyn over parts of four seasons with the team due to back and knee injuries, appearing in just 90 games. The Nets ultimately bought out his contract in Feb. 2025 and he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, appearing in 18 games as an option off the bench while averaging just 2.9 points and 3.1 assists per game.

He spent the 2025-26 season away from basketball, establishing himself in the world of professional fishing. But it sounds as though he's trying to return to the court.

It's hard to know whether Simmons could make a major impact for an NBA team at this point, but in his prime, his defense and playmaking were genuinely elite skills. It wouldn't be a surprise if a team took a chance on Simmons, seeing if he could carve out a role for himself off the bench.