With unrestricted free agency opening this summer after his $40,338,144 deal expired, Ben Simmons enters a pivotal crossroads in his career. Once a perennial All‑Star and an elite NBA defender, Simmons has lost his star status, but his defensive presence, playmaking ability, and imposing size (6’10” with a 7-foot wingspan) still make him a valuable piece in strategic roles.
After a modest stint with the Nets and Clippers, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, mostly in a bench role, he now looks to land a one-year deal. At age 28 and bolstered by elite defense and court vision, Simmons can still change the course of a game in limited spurts.
The key for contender teams will be plugging him into defined bench or matchup roles, where his strengths are maximized without exposing his shooting issues. Here are the top five destinations that fit the mold, and there will be contenders who will be chasing his signature.
1. Boston Celtics
Once tipped as the “favorite” to land Simmons, the Boston Celtics present a blueprint for risk-reward; they’re elite defenders who can absorb his shooting weaknesses. With Boston likely unable to sign Simmons to a long-term deal under apron rules (they’re over the apron), they might need creative cap juggling, but from a basketball standpoint, Simmons could thrive as a defensive anchor off the bench.
Instead of starting, he’d slide into high-leverage minutes guarding wings, changing rotations mid-game to match up physically with top scorers and protect leads. Boston’s bench is built for ball movement, allowing Simmons’ playmaking to shine. With stable floor spacing around him, especially shooters like Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, Simmons can orchestrate, initiate cuts, and use his size to kickstart late-game plays.
2. Houston Rockets
A team deeply defined by defense under Ime Udoka, the Houston Rockets ranked fifth in defensive efficiency last season. They already feature length and disruption in their rotations, think Sengun, Eason, and Brooks, so Simmons would fit like a glove as a multi-positional stopper.
His ability to guard 1-4 gives Udoka more lineup flexibility, especially in tight playoff matchups when securing the perimeter is critical. On offense, the Rockets’ bench could finally gain a secondary shot creator beyond Fred VanVleet, something they seriously lacked.
Simmons doesn’t need to score much; he just needs to pass, fish for assists, and hit the occasional layup. His presence offers relief to younger wings, giving them opportunities to defer inside or spot-up, while Simmons initiates simpler actions.
3. Denver Nuggets
Despite being over the apron, Denver has been floated in Simmons’ potential summer scenarios. The Nuggets need a spark plug guard/forward who can bring intensity in short stints, something like Russell Westbrook provided this year (although he has declined his player option), without the ball-hogging quirks.
Simmons could improve upon Westbrook’s role: limited minutes protecting the rim, securing rebounds, and organizing second units with crisp passing. Denver’s championship outlook is rooted in continuity, and embedding Simmons as a situational defender and facilitator would be low-risk yet potentially high-impact.
Imagine him coming in when teams turbo-charge the pace or go small; his size and handles make him effective in those spots. On offense, he doesn’t need to shoot. Jokic’s gravity and Murray’s scoring allow Simmons’ role to remain simple: rebound, pass, and defend.
4. New York Knicks
The New York Knicks, not over the apron, could be curious about Simmons as a defensive spark-plug off the bench. As a team with a rugged identity and physical toughness in New York’s system, Simmons can bolster perimeter flexibility and bring elite ball-hawking.
His versatility allows him to guard Murray, Mitchell, or even Embiid-type players in switches, key during playoff rotations. Offensively, New York needs secondary playmakers behind Jalen Brunson, who has to carry a heavy load for the team every night.
Simmons would suit a role that keeps the ball flowing and provides reset options when the offense stagnates. With their current cap, the Knicks could offer a short-term contract to gauge fit, all while potentially turning their 7-foot leap into a strategic advantage in crunch time.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
Simmons came to the Los Angeles Clippers after the Nets’ buyout and earned their interest as a defensive game-changer and ball-handler in key matchups. LA’s elite defense gets deeper with him, “doubling down” on disruption when Kawhi Leonard sits.
Plus, having previously reunited with Harden, Simmons already understands the culture and expectations, giving him an immediate comfort level. His 6’10” frame and playmaking complement Ty Lue’s rotation strategy, and while spacing is a concern, adding shooters around him helps mitigate the risk.
The Clippers see Simmons as insurance during crunch time, when Leonard or Harden need rest or are in foul trouble. For Simmons, it’s a stable environment, a known coaching staff, and the chance to reboot his value in a familiar setting, all on a low-cost, low-pressure deal.
