Ben Simmons’ career took a sharp turn from All-Star promise to lingering uncertainty some years ago. Once heralded as the future of the NBA, Simmons is now fighting to stay relevant. This season with the Brooklyn Nets has been anything but a redemption arc. His current averages—5.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.0 assists—are a far cry from the triple-double machine he once was. For a player earning $40.3 million in his contract year, the gap between his performance and paycheck is hard to ignore.
It’s not just the stats that have fans and analysts raising eyebrows. Simmons recently logged a scoreless game against the Knicks, sparking sharp criticism from none other than Shaquille O’Neal. Add to that his persistent back issues, which have been a roadblock for years, and it’s clear his on-court struggles are as physical as they are mental.
Looking ahead, the conversation about Simmons’ future in the NBA has started to shift. With his contract set to expire in the summer, there’s speculation about whether he’ll find another chance in the league—or if a stint in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) could be in the cards. It’s a harsh reality, but for Simmons, the path forward seems anything but certain.
Ben Simmons’ Lackluster Production So Far
It’s tough to watch what’s happening with Ben Simmons this season. Through 10 games, his numbers tell a story that Nets fans would rather not read. Simmons is averaging 5.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. Those stats might sound okay if he were some backup point guard, but for a guy who’s getting $40 million this year? It’s a disaster. To make it worse, not a single double-double so far. That’s wild for someone who used to stuff the stat sheet like clockwork.
Let’s start with the Knicks games from this past week. In the first matchup, Simmons was out there for 25 minutes and managed just 4 points. Okay, not great, but at least he hit the scoreboard. Two days later, he logged 22 minutes against the same team and didn’t score a single point.
If you go back a few games, it’s not much better. Even in his “best” game this year—8 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Bulls—it still feels like he’s just going through the motions.
A deeper dive shows how hesitant he’s been. Simmons is taking barely any shots—just 5 attempts per game—and only making 2.5 of them. This is a guy who used to terrorize defenses with his drives to the rim, but now? He looks scared out there. Whether it’s his lingering back issues, a complete lack of confidence, or both, Simmons just doesn’t have the aggressiveness or swagger he had earlier in his career.
On the defensive end, which used to be his bread and butter, he hasn’t been a game-changer either. The Nets are relying on him to anchor the defense, but he hasn’t been able to deliver at that end of the floor. He’s had flashes here and there, but flashes aren’t enough. With Brooklyn needing all the help they can get, Simmons’ lack of production has been a glaring issue, and it’s hard to see where he goes from here.
A Tricky Contract Situation
Ben Simmons is in the final year of his massive $177 million deal, and let’s be honest, there’s no way he’s getting another payday like this in the NBA. With his contract expiring this summer, the writing is on the wall: Simmons is likely looking at a veteran minimum deal next. Sure, some team might take a flier on him—after all, he’s still just 28 and has size and court vision that could, in theory, fit into the right system. But the real question is: does he even bring value to a roster anymore?
Right now, Simmons’ value feels more like a gamble than a guarantee. He’s not the All-Star defender or the dynamic playmaker he once was. Teams looking at him this offseason will be weighing whether his physical limitations and clear loss of confidence are worth a roster spot. And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: his passion for the game has been called into question repeatedly. From sitting out games with mysterious injuries to avoiding any semblance of accountability, Simmons hasn’t done much to convince anyone he’s all-in on basketball anymore.
And then there’s the Australia thing. Every offseason, it’s the same story: Simmons declares he’s going to represent his country in international play, only to pull out at the last second. It’s become so routine it’s almost a meme at this point. Whether it’s lingering injuries or a lack of interest, these constant backouts have only fueled the narrative that Simmons isn’t reliable or committed to the grind. If he can’t commit to his national team, why should an NBA franchise bet on him?
It’s possible that a team desperate for depth—or one with a strong locker room culture—will take a chance on him. Maybe Simmons can reinvent himself as a role player on a contender, focusing solely on defense and facilitating in limited minutes. But even that feels like a long shot right now. His passion for the game and his ability to make a meaningful impact seem to have faded, leaving teams to wonder if signing him is more of a headache than a solution.
Why The CBA Could Be A Real Chance
Let’s face it, the NBA has been a brutal reality check for Ben Simmons lately. But maybe a stint in the CBA could be exactly what he needs to hit the reset button. Think about it—fewer games, a lower level of competition, and an opportunity to dominate against less athletic players. Simmons could finally feel like “himself” again, rebuilding his confidence in an environment where the expectations aren’t as sky-high as they are in the NBA.
The CBA isn’t the career graveyard some might think it is—it’s been a springboard for players looking to revive their careers. Look at what it’s done for others. Guys like DeMarcus Cousins have made moves to leagues like Taiwan’s T1 League to prove they’ve still got gas in the tank, while Victor Oladipo, plagued by injuries, is reportedly eyeing international options to get back on track. Simmons could take a similar route, using the CBA as a place to showcase his skills and prove he’s still a viable player, even if it’s in a different context.
For Simmons, playing overseas could offer a rare opportunity: a league where he can rack up stats, remind people of his unique skill set, and maybe even rediscover the joy of playing basketball. The reduced physical demands of international basketball might also help him finally get his body right. And if he goes out there and puts up dominant performances, NBA teams will take notice. After all, there’s always a market for a 6’10” playmaker who can rebound and defend—if he shows he still has the desire and ability to compete.
The road back to the NBA wouldn’t be easy, but it’s far from impossible. A season in the CBA could change the narrative around Simmons. Instead of being remembered as the guy who flamed out in Brooklyn, he could be the guy who fought his way back. Teams love a redemption story, and if Simmons can write one overseas, there’s a real chance he could find himself back in the league sooner than later.
