Ben Simmons’ turbulent NBA career has taken another unexpected turn, and this time, the spotlight is shining on him from halfway around the world. After a quiet season, the former All-Star is reportedly a target not for another NBA team, but for a league in his home country.
Could a Return to Australia Reignite Ben Simmons’ Career?
According to multiple reports, Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) is making a push to bring Simmons back home. The three-time NBA All-Star is coming off a subdued 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he averaged 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. That year, he played in his first playoff series in four seasons after signing a one-year contract with the Clippers.
NBL owner and executive director Larry Kestelman publicly stated his intentions for the guard. According to TalkBasket, Kestelman is hopeful about the move. “I hope he comes and plays for the passion of it, and a deal in the NBL is somewhere where his passion could be reignited,” Kestelman said. He also noted he plans to contact the former No. 1 NBA draft pick, calling him “too good a talent not to be playing basketball.”
However, not everyone in the Australian basketball community shares that optimism. Former NBL legend Chris Anstey was not enthusiastic about the possibility of Simmons making a comeback down under.
The National Basketball League in Australia has expressed interest in bringing in Ben Simmons, per @TalkBasket pic.twitter.com/MDhmqOSb9f
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 24, 2025
“Would he dominate? Absolutely not,” Anstey remarked. “He’s a very big guard who can handle the ball or a very small big, but I’m unsure if he’d want to come and do that. He can’t shoot the ball and would get fouled a lot.”
Anstey’s comments touch on a career that has taken a nosedive, with injuries playing a significant role in the 29-year-old’s decline. Things went downhill for the Australian guard after he missed the entire 2021-22 season with the Philadelphia 76ers while holding out. He was later shipped to the Brooklyn Nets after suffering a back injury. In three seasons with the Nets, he averaged 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, showing glimpses of his defense-first skillset.
Despite the struggles, Simmons still had options in the NBA. Per insider Marc Stein, the Boston Celtics were interested in his services, but Simmons reportedly declined an offer from the New York Knicks, as he was said to be looking for deals above the veteran minimum.
Last season, he played a total of 50 games, 18 of them for the Clippers, and averaged a combined 5.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. For now, there are no concrete developments on where he will land next. The NBL interest, however, gives Simmons a viable option to continue his career should he not find the right fit in the NBA.
