Ben Simmons retirement row: Ex-Clippers star takes a call on Knicks offer; ‘considering options’

Ben Simmons might just retire at 29. The former NBA All-Star and No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft is currently a free agent.

Published on: Sep 4, 2025, 04:37:49 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Ben Simmons might just retire at 29. The former NBA All-Star and No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft is currently a free agent and has reportedly generated interest from the New York Knicks. However, he is yet to take a call on his NBA career as a whole.

Former Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) makes a pass against Chicago Bulls forward JaKarr Sampson (41) (USA TODAY Sports)

Stefan Bondy of the NY Post on Wednesday reported, “Ben Simmons has generated interest from the Knicks and another team but is also questioning whether he even wants to continue playing in the NBA next season."

Simmons was drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016. His rookie season in 2017-18 was a breakout, earning him the NBA Rookie of the Year award after averaging 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over 81 games. His early promise was cemented with three All-Star selections (2019-21), including a 2019-20 All-Defensive First Team nod after leading the league with 2.1 steals per game.

However, injuries have been a persistent shadow over Simmons’ career. His rookie year was delayed entirely due to a fractured right foot sustained in preseason, sidelining him for 2016-17.

A lower back injury in February 2020 forced him out briefly, and a knee injury during the 2020 NBA Bubble playoffs ended his postseason run.

The 2021-22 season was a turning point, as a back issue kept him out entirely amid a trade dispute with the 76ers, leading to his move to the Brooklyn Nets. There, back problems persisted, limiting him to 42 games in 2022-23 and 15 in 2023-24, the latter ending with a nerve impingement requiring surgery.

A 2025 buyout from the Nets and a stint with the Los Angeles Clippers saw him play 51 games, but his output dropped to 5.0 points per game.

Throughout his career, Ben Simmons averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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