The 2025 offseason has been a challenging reset for the Phoenix Suns. With the departure of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns effectively signaled their intent to retool around their star Devin Booker, beginning with a sizable extension, securing his place with the team for the foreseeable future.
One of the reasons Phoenix had to undertake such a massive roster overhaul was its top-heavy payroll. With Durant and Beal combining for a significant portion of the salary cap, the Suns were deep into luxury tax territory. Although such an investment wouldn’t be out of the question for a title-contending roster, the Suns’ performance in the 2024-25 season effectively acted as a catalyst to blow things up.
In this regard, the Phoenix Suns have been quite successful in their efforts to clear cap space. However, this has also left the roster looking bare, primarily in the bench rotation.
While the starting backcourt boasts offensive potential, led by Booker and newly acquired Jalen Green, the distinct lack of playmaking and perimeter defense could raise some concerns. To address this, the Phoenix Suns should consider making an interesting decision to sign three-time All-Star Ben Simmons.
Simmons has been in the free agency market for a considerable amount of time. Although he garnered interest from several teams early on, his contract demands haven’t been met. Most recently, the New York Knicks seemed to be the frontrunners to sign the guard. Unfortunately, this deal eventually fell through, with reports even suggesting that the guard “ghosted” the Knicks.
While there were indications that he could be considering retirement, Ben Simmons denied these claims, suggesting that he still intends to play professionally. However, with limited opportunities, the 29-year-old may not have the luxury to select which teams he plays for.
Given the circumstances, the Phoenix Suns could benefit from signing a player like Simmons. On a low-cost, short-term deal, the three-time All-Star is positioned to be a terrific addition. Although there are risks associated with adding him to the lineup, primarily due to his injury history, he still presents a lot of upside when healthy.
The 29-year-old boasted tremendous potential as an all-round player early in his career. But after sustaining injuries, he embraced the role of a playmaker and defensive anchor.
Most recently with the Los Angeles Clippers, he came off the bench to facilitate scoring for the second unit while anchoring their defensive efforts. Considering that he is capable of guarding multiple positions, Simmons could be a great addition to a team like the Phoenix Suns that lacks bench depth.
Last season, Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game on 52.0% shooting in 22.0 minutes played. Considering that his output reduced significantly after joining the Clippers, primarily due to a reduced role in the rotation, he remained a solid contributor on the defensive end, as he averaged 0.7 steals per game in 16.4 minutes played.
How Does Ben Simmons Fit On The Phoenix Suns?
On the Phoenix Suns’ roster, Ben Simmons could be effective with the second unit. With the likes of Booker and Green coming off, the Suns would likely have Simmons and Grayson Allen fill in in the backcourt.
Given Allen’s ability to knock down shots in catch-and-shoot situations, Simmons could make the most of his passing skills. Additionally, due to his size, Phoenix wouldn’t need to compromise on length in the second unit. This could be vital as they manage the minutes in the big man rotation between Mark Williams, Nick Richards, and Khaman Maluach.
Simmons’ addition would make sense for the Phoenix Suns. With three roster spaces available, the Suns could also consider signing the three-time All-Star at some point during the regular season. However, with preseason around the corner, the 29-year-old’s avenues to return to the NBA seem bleak.
In this regard, an opportunity may arrive in the form of playing professionally overseas, something many free agents embraced this year. With the NBL emerging as a likely landing spot, Simmons could consider continuing his professional career in Australia.
