Is Ben Simmons Currently on an NBA Roster?
As of the 2025 offseason, Ben Simmons is not on an NBA roster and remains unsigned since leaving the Brooklyn Nets in 2024. He has not appeared in a regular season or playoff game since the 2023 postseason. While he has worked with teams in training settings during 2024, he has not secured a new contract this calendar year. This article explains the key milestones that led to his current free agent status and what an eventual return would require.
Ben Simmons’ Last Active Season in the NBA
Simmons last played competitive NBA basketball in the 2022–23 season with the Brooklyn Nets. After sitting out all of 2021–22 with a back injury, he appeared in 50 games during 2022–23 before missing most of the postseason with a knee issue. The Nets declined his 2023–24 player option in June 2023, converting it into a partial guarantee, which made him a free agent entering 2023–24. He then signed with Brooklyn in October 2023 but missed the season due to his recurring back problem.
2022–23 Brooklyn Nets Summary
In his final games with the Nets, Simmons logged modest minutes and showed flashes of his playmaking and defense, but his shooting struggles and injury history were major concerns. The team’s front office prioritized flexibility, and by declining the extension, they acknowledged that Simmons’ availability was highly uncertain. This context is essential to understanding why he has been inactive for multiple seasons.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Last Season Played | 2022–23 | NBA regular season schedule |
| 2023–24 Season Status | Did not play; inactive due to back injury | Team injury reports and roster transactions |
| 2024–25 Status | Unsigned free agent; no team contract | NBA transaction logs |
| Contract Situation in 2023 | Nets declined 2023–24 player option; converted to partial guarantee | League sources and team statements |
| Recent Training Activity | Worked with select teams in 2024, no formal deal | Reports from team workouts and agent updates |
Medical Context and Injury Concerns
Simmons has dealt with persistent back issues since his college career at LSU. In the NBA, these problems culminated in a prolonged absence during 2021–22 and limited his availability in 2022–23. Chronic back conditions complicate his ability to sustain the physical demands of a full season. As a result, teams have approached his availability with caution, contributing to the absence of contract offers.
Key Medical Milestones
- 2021–22: Season-ending back injury while with Brooklyn
- 2022–23: Returned for 50 games, but postseason exit due to knee and back concerns
- 2023–24 onward: No cleared participation in games; worked individually on conditioning
Contract and Roster Implications
Because Simmons is a free agent without a team, he is not listed on any salary cap or roster reports. His previous contract with Brooklyn was fully guaranteed, but injuries led to the non-renewal of his player option. For an eventual return, a team would need to offer him a new contract and clear roster space, while Simmons would likely require a medical review and a defined plan for managing his back health.
What Would It Take for Simmons to Return?
- Clearance from league and team medical staffs
- A team willing to take on a high-salary backcourt player with injury history
- A structured plan for minutes and role within the system
- Demonstrated readiness in training camp and preseason
Public Profile and Off-Court Considerations
Outside of games, Simmons has engaged in limited public activity, focusing on health, training, and personal projects. His marketability remains tied to his ability to play at an NBA level. With roster decisions increasingly shaped by analytics and durability trends, teams are cautious about committing to players with his injury profile unless they show clear, sustained evidence of recovery.
Outlook and Frequently Asked Questions
As of 2025, Ben Simmons is effectively out of the NBA while remaining eligible to sign if circumstances change. His path back depends on medical clearance, team needs, and roster economics. For fans and analysts, his situation serves as a case study in how chronic injuries and positional specialization influence long-term careers in professional basketball.
Common Questions
- Is Ben Simmons still on an NBA contract? No, he is a free agent after the Nets declined his option and he did not sign in 2024.
- Why hasn’t he been signed? Teams cite lingering back issues and limited recent game action as barriers to offering contracts.
- Could he return in the future? Yes, but it would require medical approval and a team willing to manage his role carefully.
- Has he expressed interest in returning? Public statements indicate he remains committed to playing, but no team has committed to him.
- What role could he fill? If cleared, he would likely be a backup point guard or reserve defender in a specialized lineup.
Summary and Key Takeaways
Ben Simmons is not currently playing in the NBA and has been inactive since the 2022–23 season due to injury. His status is that of an unsigned free agent, with no team offering him a contract through the 2024–25 season. Any return would depend on medical clearance, team willingness to assume risk, and his ability to demonstrate sustained health and fit within a modern roster structure.