Ben Simmons’ NBA career may not be finished after all.
Several teams have expressed interest in the former No. 1 overall pick, according to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, with one unnamed Western Conference team going as far as offering Simmons an invitation to training camp. Simmons is also reportedly willing to sign for the veteran minimum as he attempts to return to the league after sitting out the entire 2025-26 NBA season.
The situation represents a notable change for the 30-year-old. Simmons last appeared in the NBA during the 2024-25 season, splitting time between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. Injuries have significantly disrupted the latter stages of his career, but his willingness to accept a minimum contract suggests his immediate priority is finding another opportunity rather than maximizing salary.
Simmons is also reconnecting with Australian basketball. He is expected to participate in a week-long Boomers mini-camp in Melbourne and reportedly paid his own way to attend. Spears reported that Simmons is expected to train without restrictions, while the camp is set to include other prominent Australian players such as Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels.
That commitment has a longer-term purpose. Simmons reportedly still dreams of representing Australia at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and returning to the national-team environment is viewed as a step toward making that possibility realistic.
Simmons has never played for Australia at an Olympics despite expressing interest at several points during his career. Injuries, rehabilitation and NBA commitments have contributed to previous withdrawals, making any potential 2028 appearance especially significant if he can finally remain healthy and available.
The bigger question is what Simmons can still provide an NBA team. At his best, he was a three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive First Team selection whose size, passing and defensive versatility made him one of the league’s most unusual players. His recent seasons, however, have been defined far more by availability concerns than individual accolades.
A training-camp invitation would guarantee him nothing. It would simply give Simmons an opportunity to prove that his body can handle NBA basketball again and that his defensive versatility and playmaking can still justify a roster spot.
For the first time in a while, though, there appears to be a clear path back. Simmons is willing to accept a smaller contract, NBA teams are showing interest, and he is returning to the court with Australia in mind.
