Don t even have 30 teams! The No. 1 pick in 16 years is on the verge of retirement, earning 244 million in his career, he has James talent

Ben Simmons's career was once hoped for unlimited expectations, but now the 29-year-old Australian star is facing the shadow of retirement. According to Forbes sports reporter Evan Sidery, no NBA team has shown interest in the 2016 No. 1 pick. His situation is similar to that of 37-year-old Westbrook, but Simmons' younger age makes the situation particularly touching. What is even more surprising is that even his agent has given up, and Simmons can only run for his future alone. However, the long-term back injury has made his physical condition worrying, and it is unknown whether he can persist until he is 30 years old.

Simmons and Embiid were once the "double emperor" combination of the Philadelphia 76ers. The two were seen as hope for the team's revival from 2016 to 2019. The two have very different styles but complement each other: Simmons is good at organization and defense, while Embiid is known for his dominance in the inside and flexibility in the outside. However, injuries became the common enemy of the two's careers. Embiid's knee injury has tortured him, and Philadelphia media are generally pessimistic about his recovery prospects, believing that he will find it difficult to return to the top. Simmons' back injury was also serious, which greatly limited his attendance rate and performance on the field.

During the 76ers era, Simmons's style of play was often ridiculed as a "center" because he hardly made three-pointers and rarely tried in mid-range shots. The offense mainly relies on drops and breakthroughs at the basket. In contrast, Embiid is nicknamed "the defender" because of his preference for ball control and outside attempts. This kind of role contrast once became a hot topic among fans. Now the fate of the two is the same: Embiid proved his value with the 2023 MVP trophy. Even if he is injured, he has left a strong mark in the major league. But Simmons failed to fulfill what people expected of him, and his career seemed to be heading for an end in a constant decline.

In 2016, Simmons entered the NBA as the No. 1 pick and was hailed as "the next LeBron James". His height of 2.08 meters, amazing athleticism and excellent field vision are eye-catching. His defense coverage is very wide, and he can defend from No. 1 to No. 5 (except heavy centers). His lateral movement speed and reaction ability make him a nightmare on the defensive end. On the offensive end, his passing and organizational skills are top-notch, and he can deliver accurate assists per game. Unfortunately, his fatal weakness—projection ability—has never improved. Whether it was a three-pointer or a mid-range shooting, Simmons' performance has always been stagnant, and has even been criticized for not daring to shoot in key games.

People expected Simmons to gradually improve his projection ability through hard work like James. But the reality is disappointing. His three-point shooting percentage is almost zero, and he has only 5 three-pointers in his career so far. What is even more worrying is that his physical condition gradually deteriorates after entering the league. The back injury not only limited his attendance rate, but also greatly reduced his explosiveness and stability on the field. In the 2024-25 season, he played a total of 51 games with the Clippers and the Nets, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 52.0%. Although the data is acceptable for a limited time, demonstrating his ability in defense, rebounding and organization, his attendance rate is extremely unstable and he is almost completely absent from back-to-back games, which greatly reduces the team's trust in him.

Evan Sidery bluntly stated in the report: "According to my sources, no team is willing to sign Simmons. He may have no ball to play next season, and retirement has become a real possibility for the 29-year-old former No. 1 pick."

This evaluation undoubtedly casts a shadow on Simmons' career. In contrast, although 37-year-old Westbrook is facing a similar situation of no one's interest, he is almost the end of his career after all, and Simmons is only 29 years old, in his year of fighting. His dilemma was not only due to injuries, but also because of his failure to fulfill his talent, as well as his hesitation and lack of confidence at critical moments.

Simmons' career is not without highlights. During the 76ers era, he was an All-Star player, and his average number of nearly triple-double per game is amazing. His defensive ability and organizational talent make the 76ers willing to use him as a bargaining chip to exchange for James Harden from the Nets. However, after the trade, Simmons' performance in the Nets and Clippers continued to decline, and injuries and psychological problems made him gradually lose the team's trust. Fans once used the "Fire Dragon Family" to describe Amen Thompson, saying: Amen is the "little Fire Dragon", Simmons is the "Fire Dinosaur", and James is the "Fire Dragon". Now, Amen's talent fulfillment speed has quietly changed the title of "Fire Dinosaur", while Simmons is left far behind.

From a tactical perspective, Simmons still has certain value in utilization. If he is positioned as No. 4-5, his defensive ability and organizational talent are still remarkable. His height of 2.08 meters and excellent lateral movement speed allow him to defend multiple positions, and his ability to throw and pass at the basket can also help the team. However, any potential next home will prioritize his attendance. The problems of back-to-back absence and unstable appearances in regular time make it difficult for the team to see him as a reliable rotation player. The good news is that Simmons' career income has reached $244 million. Even if he deducts high taxes, his remaining wealth will be enough to ensure the stability of his life.