Simmons is already 28 years old, and it is a question whether he can return to the NBA next season

On May 23, Ben Simmons, the former pride of heaven, is now standing at the crossroads of his career. Born on July 20, 1996, he is about to celebrate his 29th birthday, but he still fails to solve the shooting shortcomings that have existed since entering the league. From the No. 1 pick of the Philadelphia 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets' "high-paying burden", Simmons' career trajectory is sad. In the 2023-24 season, he played only 42 games due to injury, averaging 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, which is far from his peak. What is even more worrying is that his shooting percentage is only 58.1%, and his three-point shooting is a handful.

Simmons' shooting problems have a long history. When he entered the NBA as the No. 1 pick in 2016, his shooting was regarded as his biggest weakness. Incredibly, eight years have passed, and this problem has not only not improved, but has become a fatal injury that restricts his development. In today's small ball era that advocates space and three-pointers, a guard who can't shoot is almost impossible to move forward. Data shows that Simmons' total three-point shooting in his career is less than 40, with a shooting percentage as low as 15.4%. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged only 0.1 three-point shots per game, which is rare in the modern NBA.

From a technical perspective, Simmons' shooting has many problems. First of all, the shooting hand shape is unstable, the shooting point is low and the movements are incoherent. Secondly, he has a serious lack of shooting confidence and often chooses to pass instead of shooting in open positions. More importantly, he seems to lack the determination and perseverance to improve his shooting. Several trainers revealed that Simmons rarely conducts systematic shooting training during the offseason, but instead spends a lot of time on social media and business activities. This lack of professional attitude has made many industry insiders pessimistic about his future.

Nets management's patience with Simmons is running out. The three-year, $110 million contract signed in 2022 now seems to have become a heavy burden on the team. In the 2024-25 season, Simmons' annual salary was as high as US$38.61 million, but his contribution was seriously inconsistent with his salary. According to insiders, the Nets have tried to trade Simmons many times, but other teams either demand huge compensation or directly refuse to take over. A general manager of the Eastern Conference team who asked not to be named said: "Simmons' contract is one of the most difficult contracts in the league, and it will be difficult to find the next one unless he can make breakthroughs in shooting. "

The league trend is extremely unfavorable for Simmons. The demand for space-based players in the modern NBA has reached its historical peak. In the 2023-24 season, the league's average three-point shooting reached 34.2, setting a record high. All teams are looking for players who can open up space, and Simmons is a typical example of doing the opposite. When he is on the court, the opponent can unscrupulously shrink his defense, seriously hindering his teammates' offensive space. This negative effect will be further amplified in the playoffs, which is why Simmons has been repeatedly targeted in key games.

Simmons is not without talent. He has a height of 2.08 meters and excellent athletic ability. He can defend from No. 1 to No. 5 on the defensive end, and his passing ability is also top-notch among big players. But these advantages are greatly reduced in the absence of shooting. Former NBA player JJ Redick once said bluntly: "It was one of the most talented players I have ever seen, but if you can't shoot, it will be difficult for these talents to fully play their value in the modern NBA. "

Psychological factors may be Simmons' biggest obstacle. The 2021 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals series against the Hawks seemed to be a turning point in his career. After that famous "empty pass" incident, Simmons fell into a long-term psychological low. Many psychologists pointed out that he may have "shooting phobia", a psychological disorder that is more difficult to overcome than technical defects. The Nets hired him a dedicated sports psychologist, but the results were limited.

This year's offseason is the last chance for Simmons. If he can't make substantial progress in shooting, he's likely to face a dilemma of no ball to play next season. League sources revealed that some teams have considered cutting him with extended terms, which will mean that Simmons may end his NBA career early. This extreme situation is not impossible given his remaining contract amount.

Judging from historical cases, it is difficult for players like Simmons to make a comeback. Sean Livingston successfully transformed into a role player after a devastating knee injury, but he put in an effort that ordinary people could not imagine. Andre Robertson, another player with excellent defense but poor shooting, eventually faded out of the league early due to injury. If Simmons wants to avoid repeating the same mistake, he must make a radical change this summer.

There are several possible ways out: one is to accept a significant salary cut and join a team that is willing to give him a chance; the second is to completely change his position and try to transform into a small ball center; the third is to go to overseas leagues to find opportunities. But no matter which path you choose, improving your shooting ability is a must. Some trainers suggested that Simmons should start rebuilding from the most basic shooting movements, and even consider temporarily withdrawing from professional games to concentrate on solving this technical shortcomings. The case of

Simmons also sounded the alarm for the NBA. Players who rely too much on physical talent and ignore basic skills often encounter huge bottlenecks in the later stages of their careers. More and more teams in the league pay more attention to the players' technical comprehensiveness rather than a single physical fitness in drafts. If Simmons ultimately fails to adapt to the development trend of the NBA, it will be the latest example of this lesson.

With less than four months left before the start of the new season training camp, Simmons needs to race against time. His career was like a game to be over, and shooting was the key goal he had to hit. If he fails again this time, what awaits him may be the end of his NBA career. In this cruel professional league, talent is just a ticket to entry, and continuous efforts and adaptability are the key to long-term survival. Basketball fans around the world are waiting to see whether Simmons can seize this last opportunity.