Former No. 1 general choose Ben Simmons is significantly contemplating what’s subsequent in his profession—and maybe in life.
That’s as a result of, in response to the newest experiences, Simmons is weighing retirement in opposition to the potential for becoming a member of the New York Knicks or one other “thriller” workforce that has expressed curiosity in reviving the Aussie’s profession.
Simmons, 29, has battled accidents and inconsistency since being traded by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022, and in response to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, he’s questioning whether or not to proceed taking part in in any respect or name it quits as soon as and for all.
“Ben Simmons has generated curiosity from the Knicks and one other workforce however can be questioning whether or not he even needs to proceed taking part in within the NBA subsequent season.” — New York Publish’s Stefan Bondy
The Sixers drafted Simmons with the No. 1 choose in 2016 after a one-and-done season at LSU. He emerged as one of many league’s brightest stars early in his profession, displaying untapped potential and profitable the Rookie of the Yr award in 2018. Simmons later earned three straight All-Star choices from 2019 to 2021, and was twice named to the NBA’s All-Defensive workforce.
If he can discover a model near his greatest, he’d add an fascinating combo of measurement, playmaking, and protection to those title-contending Knicks. That stated, he’d additionally include the con of getting an terrible lack of capturing vary, which might harm the offense at occasions.
The breaking level in Simmons’s profession doesn’t want a reminder, does it? For the uninitiated, it got here within the 2021 playoffs when the lad handed up an open dunk in Recreation 7 in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks, resulting in criticism from coach Doc Rivers and teammate Joel Embiid. He by no means suited up for the 76ers once more and was finally traded to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden. Uh, oh.
Again accidents hit him exhausting and derailed his time in Brooklyn, the place he underwent two surgical procedures and was finally purchased out earlier than having a brief stint with the cap-circumventing Los Angeles Clippers, with whom he averaged simply 2.9 factors in 18 video games final season.
The Knicks, recent off their first Japanese Convention Finals look since 2000, might carry Simmons in as a depth choice beneath new head coach Mike Brown. He has been within the rumor mill linked to New York for a number of weeks as a possible final piece to get into the squad, with one open spot nonetheless up for grabs.
New York can solely supply Simmons a minimal deal, and there’s no assure he’ll both choose that provide or, hell, even proceed taking part in, given Bondy’s report.
One factor is for positive, and that’s the truth that after having made greater than $200 million in profession earnings, Simmons can retire greater than in peace. Kudos to him.
