So, you’re scrolling through your feed and a random thought hits: wait, is Ben Simmons still in the NBA? It’s a fair question, honestly. The guy has been more famous for his injuries, his mental health battles, and that one play-off pass he didn’t take than for actually playing basketball lately. But here’s the short answer: yes, he is.
It’s easy to forget, but Ben Simmons is still technically on an NBA roster. He’s not just some ghost haunting old highlight reels. He’s currently suiting up for the Brooklyn Nets, trying to remind everyone why he was once hailed as the next LeBron-lite. Spoiler: it’s been a bumpy ride, and by “bumpy,” I mean a rollercoaster that stopped halfway up the hill.
Wait, He’s Actually Playing?
Sort of. And this is where it gets interesting. After a long, strange saga with the Philadelphia 76ers—remember the beard? The trade demands? The “I’m not mentally ready” moment?—Simmons landed in Brooklyn with a fresh start. Everyone thought, “Great, now he’ll be the guy again.” But then his back started bothering him. And his knee. And his confidence.
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Last season, Simmons played in just 15 games. Fifteen. That’s fewer games than some of us had sick days from work. In those games, he averaged a modest 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. Not terrible, but definitely not “max contract” numbers. It’s like ordering a gourmet burger and getting a dry veggie patty—fine, but not what you paid for.
The Elephant in the Room: His Shooting
Let’s be honest, the guy doesn’t shoot. It’s become his whole identity. Every time he’s open beyond 10 feet, the arena holds its breath. It’s like watching a cat stare at a cucumber—pure suspense, no action. He’s a point guard who refuses to shoot jumpers. In 2024, that’s like being a chef who hates knives. Yet, somehow, he’s still employed.
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And that’s what makes it cool. Ben Simmons is a walking contradiction. He’s an All-Star defender, a triple-double machine when he’s feeling it, and a guy who can guard all five positions. But he’s also a player who passes up wide-open layups. It’s weird, right? He’s like a sports car with a lawnmower engine.
Is He Actually Good Anymore?
Here’s the tricky part. On paper, Simmons is still a useful NBA player. He’s 6’10” with elite vision and freakish athleticism. When he’s locked in, he can shut down a star like Trae Young or Donovan Mitchell. But the problem is, he’s rarely “locked in.” His minutes are restricted, his back is a soap opera, and his offensive game is basically a layup line that ends at the free-throw line (where he shoots that poorly too).
Think of him as a luxury couch that’s super comfortable but also has a built-in spike that pops out randomly. You want to sit on it, but you’re always a little scared. That’s Ben Simmons in 2024. The potential is still there, but the execution is… wobbly.
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What’s His Future Look Like?
Rumors are flying that the Nets might buy him out or trade him to a team that needs a defensive spark. But no one’s exactly lining up. He’s owed a massive contract—$40 million per year—and that’s a lot of cabbage for a guy who might play 30 games a season. It’s like paying for a luxury vacation but only getting to use the hotel lobby.
Still, don’t totally count him out. Remember when people wrote off Russell Westbrook? Or when Derrick Rose came back from the dead? Sometimes, weird players find a weird groove. Simmons could become a limited-minute super-sub for a playoff team. Imagine him as a 20-minute chaos agent off the bench. Sounds fun, right?
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So, Why Should We Care?
Because Ben Simmons is a human experiment. He’s proof that talent isn’t everything—that mental blocks, injuries, and stubbornness can derail a once-guaranteed superstar. He’s also a reminder that the NBA is full of weird, incomplete players who still find a way to stick around. He’s a cautionary tale, a meme, and a mystery all in one 6’10” frame.
Is he still in the NBA? Yes. Is he worth watching? Only if you enjoy watching a high-wire act without a safety net. One game he’ll throw a no-look dime that makes you gasp. The next, he’ll get subbed out after two fouls and a turnover. He’s the guy who orders a salad, eats a fry off someone else’s plate, and calls it a balanced meal.
If nothing else, cheer for the guy. He’s trying. And in a league full of robots and three-point specialists, isn’t it cool to have a strange, flawed, fascinating player still hanging around? Sure, he’s not dominating. But he’s still here. And that’s honestly kind of beautiful.
