Ben Simmons could make his long-awaited NBA comeback in the 2026-27 season

Ben Simmons could make his long-awaited NBA comeback in the 2026-27 season originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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After getting drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft, Ben Simmons came into the league with high expectations. He was even getting LeBron James comparisons because he is also a gigantic ball-handler. For a few years, Simmons was a great player, even earning All-Star nods.

Unfortunately, his career took a nosedive with a combination of mediocre performances on the big stage and injuries. He took the entire 2025-26 season off to fully recover and reset after playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the previous campaign, and now, he is on his way back to the NBA for the 2026-27 season.

Ben Simmons wants to make his long-awaited NBA return in the 2026-27 season

During his prime, Simmons was a problem for opponents. He is a 6’10” player who can serve as a giant playmaker. Since he can see above almost any non-center, he was stellar with that during the first few years of his career.

Unfortunately, Simmons did have massive problems within his game, including his aversion to shooting. That signaled the end of his prime when he passed on an easy layup at the rim when only Trae Young was defending him. After that, he then suffered all kinds of injuries, including nerve damage in his back.

MORE: Ben Simmons has expressed an interest in signing with the 76ers

After resetting with a year away from the NBA, it seems Simmons wants to come back. It will be tough to do so because he has been forgotten by most of the league. However, if he is healthy and raring to contribute, he could be an option for all 30 NBA teams.

Andscape’s Marc J. Spears revealed that Simmons has been working hard to be a full participant in the Australia national basketball team’s training camp this week. He paid his way into the camp, and it seems he is raring to go because he is fully healthy.

Considering that Simmons’ skill set as a versatile defender and high-level playmaker is still there, he could be an option for any team in the league. The 76ers are probably his preferred destination, but they will want to invest in a sure thing, especially with LeBron leading the charge.

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