Ben Simmons is sending another signal that his NBA career is far from over. The former No. 1 overall pick shared a reflective message on Instagram Saturday, posting a photo of himself looking physically imposing near a basketball hoop alongside a caption that read as both a farewell to his turbulent past and a declaration of intent for what comes next.
“I wouldn’t change the story,” Simmons wrote on Instagram. “The highs, the lows, the pain, the time, the lessons, I embrace all of it. Every chapter built something in me that I couldn’t have built any other way. Grateful for where I’ve been. Proud of where I stand. Ready for wherever this goes.”
The post landed just days after he shared a photo of LeBron James’ signature sneakers on his Instagram Story, another quiet hint that a return to the league, and possibly a reunion with his original franchise, remains on his mind.
Simmons has not played since appearing in 18 games for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 season, averaging just 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 16.4 minutes. He sat out the entire 2025-26 campaign after his previous contract expired, but has repeatedly made clear in recent interviews that retirement is not on his mind.
Simmons’ career has followed a dramatic arc since Philadelphia made him the top pick in the 2016 draft. He won Rookie of the Year and earned three All-Star selections behind his rare combination of size, playmaking, and defensive versatility, drawing comparisons to some of the league’s most unique talents.
A mix of injuries, a well-documented mental health battle, and a messy split with the 76ers organization eventually derailed that trajectory, leading to his 2022 trade to the Brooklyn Nets and a steady decline in role and production ever since.
Now 30, Simmons appears intent on writing a new chapter. Speculation about a reunion with Philadelphia has picked up since LeBron James signed with the 76ers this offseason, given the two share the same representation in Rich Paul and Klutch Sports.
Whether that speculation turns into anything concrete remains unclear, but for a player once at the center of one of the NBA’s most talked-about breakups, his latest message suggests he is done running from his past and ready to write whatever comes next.
Ben Simmons is sending another signal that his NBA career is far from over. The former No. 1 overall pick shared a reflective message on Instagram Saturday, posting a photo of himself looking physically imposing near a basketball hoop alongside a caption that read as both a farewell to his turbulent past and a declaration of intent for what comes next.
