Ben Simmons weighs up shock retirement call

1 week ago 3

Australian basketball star Ben Simmons is weighing up quitting the NBA despite interest from two franchises.

The New York Post reported on Thursday that the former All-Star is considering his options, which include ending a career during which he has pocketed more than $200 million in earnings.

Simmons, 29, split time between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 season, averaging five points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds through 51 games.

Ben Simmons is reportedly weighing up NBA retirement.

However, the No.1 overall pick of the 2016 national draft still remains a free agent without a contract just a month before NBA training camps open.

While the New York Knicks have reportedly tabled a deal worth $5 million per season, with the Boston Celtics also linked to the two-time NBA All-Defensive first team representative, no deal has been struck.

Simmons is managed by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, the same company that looks after NBA superstar LeBron James. Paul was contacted for comment.

If Simmons did leave the NBA, he would be of interest in the NBL should he want to continue playing locally. While NBL competition sources are keeping tabs on the Simmons situation, most expect he will eventually land with an NBA team.

The NBL did not wish to comment on Thursday.

A point guard with the body of a power forward, Simmons has regularly battled injuries and mental health issues since 2021, and has not been the franchise-type player he once was since being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Nets.

He has become a polarising figure, particularly because of his reluctance to shoot the ball.

Throughout his NBA career, Simmons has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game.

He was named an NBA All-Star three times from 2019 to ’21, was named to the All-Defensive first team in 2020 and ‘21, and was named third team All-NBA in ’20. He was also the rookie of the year in 2018.

Simmons has regularly been linked to a return to the Australian Boomers squad and has expressed a desire to play in the 2028 Olympics, having not represented his country since 2013.

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