Ben Simmons teases NBA comeback with interest in signing with 76ers or Heat

It's been over a year since we've seen Ben Simmons take the court in an NBA game.

Simmons spent the first half of the 2024-2025 season with the Brooklyn Nets before agreeing to a buyout with the team and signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.

In Los Angeles, Simmons played just 18 games and averaged 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. After the season, Simmons entered free agency but decided not to join a team for the 2025 season.

Simmons has instead spent his time fishing and has even gotten into the pro fishing industry. However, the three-time All-Star is now eyeing an NBA comeback, with two Eastern Conference teams being possible landing spots.

Simmons preparing for NBA comeback, mentions 76ers and Heat as possible landing spots

In an interview with Men's Health, Simmons said that he is getting back on the court and is interested in playing in 2026.

The 29-year-old mentioned a possible return to the Philadelphia 76ers or signing with the Miami Heat, and believes he still has a lot to offer to teams.

"I plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my ass on the court, and then the team realizing that my abilities will be needed,” Simmons said to Men's Health. "I don’t have a plan on where... "Maybe I’ll go back to Philly. Miami would be nice. And not because it’s Miami—I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organization, I like the culture."

Simmons is no longer the elite All-Star he once was with the 76ers, but the former No. 1 overall pick can still provide some value to a franchise if placed in the right situation. Simmons has always been known as an excellent playmaker and tenacious defender.

A return to Philadelphia would be a fun, full-circle moment for Simmons. However, Philadelphia likely wouldn't be interested in a reunion, especially since they don't need backcourt help. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are already one of the better backcourt duos in the league and the pillars of the next era of 76ers basketball.

As for Miami, Erik Spoelstra's squad needs all the depth they can find after trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Though Simmons' inability to stretch the floor could scare the Heat away, the versatile 6-foot-10 guard would be a nice leader of Miami's second unit.

We'll see whether Simmons gets an opportunity to return to the league. The 2017-18 Rookie of the Year could still have a few productive years in the tank and seems more motivated than ever to prove the doubters wrong.