Ben Simmons is edging closer to an NBA return, and he’s not hiding the fact that he already has a couple of landing spots in mind when that moment comes.
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The former No. 1 overall pick has been away from the court while focusing on his body and long-term recovery, but he says the goal is simple, get himself back into shape and let his game do the talking once teams are watching again.
“I plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my ass on the court, and then the team realising that my abilities will be needed,” Simmons said in an interview with Men’s Health.
“I don’t have a plan on where.”
Despite the uncertainty around timing and opportunity, Simmons did narrow down the list of teams he sees as realistic or appealing fits if he does return to the league.
“Maybe I’ll go back to Philly,” he said.
“Miami would be nice. And not because it’s Miami, I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organisation, I like the culture.”
The Philadelphia 76ers remain the most emotionally charged option. It’s where Simmons was drafted No. 1 overall in 2016 and where he developed into a three-time All-Star, a Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, and one of the league’s most polarising young stars before his exit from the franchise.
A return there would be one of the more unexpected storylines in recent NBA memory, but Simmons hasn’t ruled it out.
Miami, on the other hand, represents a very different kind of appeal. The Heat have built a reputation around discipline, accountability and player development, with Erik Spoelstra widely respected across the league as one of the most demanding coaches in basketball.
Simmons made it clear his interest in Miami isn’t about lifestyle or market size, but basketball environment.
“Not because it’s Miami,” he added. “I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organisation, I like the culture.”
Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates a dunk during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards during Game Two of the Eastern Conference first round series.Source: AFP
For now, there is still no confirmed timeline for when Simmons will return to NBA action, and no clarity on which teams would genuinely be in position to take a chance on him. But his comments suggest he is already thinking ahead to the next chapter, and where that might unfold.
Whether it ends up being a reunion in Philadelphia, a fresh start in Miami, or somewhere else entirely, Simmons’ comeback remains one of the more closely watched storylines heading into the next NBA cycle.