As the Philadelphia 76ers begin the 2025-26 season, one of their high-profile former players is still without a job in the NBA. Former Sixers number one overall pick Ben Simmons has yet to be signed and finds himself out of the league just eight years after being drafted.
That is a shocking outcome, considering that he was an All-NBA player just five years ago and is still in his mid-20s. Players with that caliber of resume and that young tend to go on to have Hall of Fame-caliber careers.
That being said, Simmons has been a train wreck since the 2021 playoffs. After his famous meltdown against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, Simmons has not been the same player since.
The Philadelphia 76ers don't miss Ben Simmons at all
He sat out to start the 2022-23 season and later dealt with a back injury that resulted in him being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. There, he was largely ineffective in his two and a half seasons there.
He later signed with the L.A. Clippers but was equally as unimpactful. Now, with the 25-26 season starting up, Simmons appears unlikely to find a role on a roster.
That is not to say that he won't play at all this season. After all, teams deal with injuries all the time, and he is a 6'11" point guard who might be able to help a team in need of more playmaking.
Is Ben Simmons' NBA career already over?
That being said, teams had the opportunity to sign him, but none of them were interested in doing so, save for the New York Knicks. That was almost certainly a minimum non-guaranteed contract, with him having to face stiff competition to make the roster.
At this point, his career is already over while things are looking up for the 76ers. Joel Embiid looks healthy, and Paul George is close to making his return. Having both of those players healthy, combined with a young star in Tyrese Maxey and third overall pick V.J. Edgecombe, and there is a lot to be optimistic about.
While the Sixers are far from true contenders, they now find themselves in a far better position than Simmons is. That is not to say they wouldn't have been in a better situation had Simmons not melted down.
But all things considered, they managed to pivot away from him without suffering any negative effects. Simmons, on the other hand, may not play another NBA game, possibly marking a wild end to what was once a promising career.