Former All-Star Ben Simmons announced on June 29, 2026, that he plans to make an NBA comeback this summer after struggling with lower back injuries that sidelined him for the entire previous season.
The 29-year-old playmaker intends to prove his physical readiness to prospective franchises, as he detailed in an interview with Men's Health reporter Clay Skipper.
Simmons mentioned several potential destinations, including a return to Philadelphia or a move to Miami.
"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," he said.
He added, "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."
Injury, Not Confidence, Behind Struggles
Simmons clarified that his performance decline was due to a pinched nerve suffered in 2020, not a lack of confidence.
He addressed criticism about his final games with the Philadelphia 76ers before trades to the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.
"I was injured," Simmons said. "So many people speak about confidence.
If I was not confident, I would not get on the court again, I would not go to the Los Angeles Clippers, I wouldn't play in Brooklyn.
It's health. It's just being healthy."
The back issues severely limited his movement. "Go and get a rebound.
Dunk the ball. Guard.
Play defense. Be physical.
Everything you need to be a basketball player. It felt like I was just kinda out there as a body," he explained.
Since demanding a trade from Philadelphia after the 2021 postseason, Simmons played only 90 games for Brooklyn across three seasons and 18 games for the Clippers in 2024-25.
Off the court, he purchased a majority stake in the South Florida Sails Angling Club in December.
Despite the setbacks, Simmons remains passionate about basketball. "I think this is just what I'm choosing to do, like, no one's forcing me.
It's never been about, do I love playing basketball? That's never a question.
That's in my DNA," he said.
