Ben Simmons could be days from an NBA return as the trade window opens and teams can reshuffle.<\/p>\n
Australian Ben Simmons<\/a> is potentially days away from signing with an NBA team as the 2025-26 trade window opens in the US\u00a0on Tuesday, December 16 (AEDT).<\/p>\n Simmons, 29, is eligible to sign with a team now but the trade window opening means teams can start moving players, opening up an opportunity for the No2 ranked free agent to sign a veteran minimum with a team that could use the point-forward’s playmaking ability off the bench.<\/p>\n The man, who became a three-time NBA All-Star at the 76ers, stunned fans with a comment on his Instagram page last week<\/a> where he responded to a question asking if he would return to play for Philadelphia if the team wanted him back on a minimum contract.<\/p>\n “It ain’t about the $, I’d hoop there for free,” Simmons responded.<\/p>\n “It’s deeper then what they make y’all believe which is why I keep it pushing.<\/p>\n “(Right now) the focus is gettin’ the body to 100% before putting my health on the line again… like I have been the past few years.”<\/p>\n Bleacher Report Top 10 Free Agents<\/p>\n 10. Zyon Pullin<\/p>\n 9. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl<\/p>\n 8. Kobe Bufkin<\/p>\n 7. Dillon Jones<\/p>\n 6. Dalano Banton<\/p>\n 5. Mac McClung<\/p>\n 4. Blake Hinson<\/p>\n 3. Tristen Newton<\/p>\n 2. Ben Simmons<\/p>\n 1. Malik Beasley<\/p>\n Two-time league MVP Steve Nash<\/a>, who coached Simmons<\/a> at the Brooklyn Nets,<\/a> said there is still life in the Australian’s National Basketball Association<\/a> career before the start of the season.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m sure he doesn\u2019t want it to end (here),” Nash told Australian newspaper Sunday Herald Sun<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I don\u2019t think it\u2019s over.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s an incredible talent. I know his back injury had an impact on him, so it\u2019s tough to see him go.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe he\u2019ll get a team \u2026 the hope is he finds a chance.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n 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 .<\/p>\n \u201cIt was probably the perfect storm,” Nash added.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, there\u2019s probably more going on, but I couldn\u2019t say what has put him in this position other than that you have to factor in the health.<\/p>\n \u201cHe came into this league with incredible vision and size, and athleticism that was elite.<\/p>\n \u201cTo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/a> He signed a maximum USD $177.2M rookie extension in 2019.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Rookie Contract (Philadelphia 76ers)Drafted: 2016, No. 1 overall by the 76ersContract: 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\u201317) due to foot injury.Rookie Extension (Philadelphia 76ers)Signed: July 2019Contract: 5-years, (USD) $177.2M max extension (Designated Rookie Scale)Details: Kicked in starting 2020\u201321 season. Fully guaranteed.Annual Salary Breakdown:2020\u201321: $30.6M2021\u201322: $33.0M2022\u201323: $35.4M2023\u201324: $37.9M2024\u201325: $40.3MTrade to Brooklyn NetsDate: February 10, 2022Deal: 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<\/a> at the trade deadline in 2025.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n