Insider reveals reason for ex-76ers dud Ben Simmons remaining unsigned

Jon Conahan

Insider reveals reason for ex-76ers dud Ben Simmons remaining unsigned image

Former Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons still remains without a team. It's been unfortunate to see how Simmons' career has unfolded since he left the 76ers in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, but much of that is his issue. 

Simmons hasn't evolved his game, and many around the NBA question if he can still be a winning player. Throughout parts of his career, there have been strong arguments to be made that he's been among the top defenders in the NBA, but he's even taken a step back in that regard. 

Still, despite some of the questions about his game and the drama that's happened off the court with the former first overall pick, ESPN's Bobby Marks has reported that Simmons is only a free agent because of a roster crunch around the NBA. 

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Many teams already have their rosters filled out, and with limited money to go around, it only further complicates things. 

“Simmons is in a numbers crunch. He is one of the nearly 75 players who finished the regular season on a roster but are still without a home for next season.

“The primary reason? It starts with the 41 players selected in the draft who signed first- and second-round contracts. Those players have replaced veterans, including Simmons, on rosters for next season,” he wrote.

Throughout the offseason, Simmons has been linked to the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and others. The outcome over the next few weeks remains uncertain, but it’s expected that he’ll eventually sign with a team. 

Perhaps he has to wait until the middle of the year to find a team, but Simmons is likely still good enough to find a home eventually.

Jon Conahan

Jon Conahan is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. A 2022 Penn State University graduate who majored in journalism, he was also a member of the school's D1 baseball team. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Heavy and other outlets. Jon makes home in North Jersey, but also resides in Cape Coral, Florida, for parts of the year. He’s an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Miami Dolphins and Milwaukee Bucks.