Ben Simmons, once considered among the NBA’s brightest young stars, finds himself at the center of a swirling offseason rumor mill as the summer of 2025 unfolds. The three-time All-Star and former No. 1 overall pick is searching for his next NBA home, but as of mid-August, no team has pulled the trigger. Simmons’ unique skill set and checkered recent history have made him a topic of heated debate among fans and front offices alike, with opinions sharply divided on whether he’s worth the risk.
Miami Heat fans, still buzzing from a pair of offseason moves, have been particularly vocal in their support for Simmons. The Heat recently acquired 32-year-old sharpshooter Norman Powell from the Los Angeles Clippers. Powell, coming off a career-best 21.8 points per game, adds firepower to a Miami squad eager to make another deep playoff run. In a more understated move, the Heat also sent Haywood Highsmith and a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a protected 2026 second-round pick. While that deal didn’t grab headlines, it was crucial in keeping Miami under the first apron hard cap, a strategic maneuver that could impact future signings.
With the Heat roster currently sitting at 14 players, speculation has run rampant online about the possibility of bringing Simmons to South Beach. Fans have taken to social media to express their hopes and reservations. “Tbh if he would play and stay healthy this would be a clear upgrade outside of shooting,” one fan commented, capturing the cautious optimism surrounding Simmons’ potential. Another chimed in, “we can revive his career,” while a third offered, “He gain the confidence he lost and play good defense then I wouldn’t mind the experiment.” The enthusiasm is palpable, but not everyone is convinced. “Yeah, I’d take em. Fits in perfectly. Just need a center,” one supporter said, highlighting both Simmons’ fit and the team’s remaining needs. Yet another fan simply stated, “I would give him a chance.”
Despite the groundswell of support, the Heat’s front office appears to be taking a wait-and-see approach. According to Wes Goldberg of Locked on Heat, the team isn’t actively searching for a 15th player at this time. That decision adds a layer of intrigue to the situation, as Miami seems content to evaluate its current roster before making any further additions. For Simmons, who hasn’t played more than 50 games since the 2020-21 season and hasn’t averaged over seven points per game in that span, the uncertainty continues. His health and production remain significant question marks, dampening the excitement of even his most ardent supporters.
Meanwhile, out West, the Golden State Warriors are also in the market for backcourt help this offseason. With limited financial flexibility and just two years left on the contracts of franchise cornerstones Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, the Warriors are under pressure to maximize their chances at another title run. The team’s front office and head coach Steve Kerr are reportedly prioritizing reliable veterans who can provide solid minutes off the bench. Simmons’ name has surfaced in connection with Golden State, but the fit is far from ideal.
At 29, Simmons finished last season with the Clippers on a relatively positive note, but his persistent health issues and lack of a consistent offensive game have made him a risky proposition. Over the past four seasons, Simmons has played just 108 games, averaging 5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per contest. Perhaps most concerning for a modern guard, he hasn’t attempted a single three-pointer during that span and has converted just 52.4% of his free throws. For a Warriors team seeking stability and shooting, those numbers raise red flags.
Golden State is reportedly more interested in players like De’Anthony Melton, Seth Curry, and Malcolm Brogdon—veterans with proven ball-handling, defensive, and shooting skills. Simmons, once lauded for his dynamic potential, now represents a gamble the Warriors are unwilling to take, even on a minimum contract. As negotiations with Jonathan Kuminga drag on and the guard market thins, the Warriors’ reluctance to pursue Simmons underscores the high stakes of their current roster construction.
Elsewhere in the league, the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks have also been linked to Simmons, though both situations appear to be cooling. The Celtics recently signed Chris Boucher, formerly of the Toronto Raptors, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting that Boucher is expected to have a “significant role” in Boston. With one open regular-season roster spot remaining, the Celtics are reportedly leaning toward preserving that vacancy to maximize tax savings, making a Simmons signing less likely than it was earlier in the offseason.
The Knicks, on the other hand, are focused on re-signing Landry Shamet, a veteran guard who played 50 games for New York last season. Shamet averaged 5.7 points per game and shot an impressive 39.7% from beyond the arc in just over 15 minutes per contest. When head coach Tom Thibodeau expanded the rotation late in the season, Shamet responded with energy, solid defense, and reliable three-point shooting—traits that could earn him another stint in New York, even with Thibodeau no longer at the helm. Ian Begley of SNY reported, “I’m talking about Shamet, because I think there is still mutual interest there. If I’m guessing, I’m guessing it ends up with Shamet getting one of those spots.”
The Minnesota Timberwolves have also shown interest in Shamet, but according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Bones Hyland is the front-runner for their final roster spot. Should Shamet re-sign with the Knicks and the Celtics keep their roster spot open, Simmons’ quest for a new team could easily extend into September. The market for the versatile but enigmatic guard is narrowing, and with each passing day, the odds of a quick resolution seem to shrink.
For now, Ben Simmons remains one of the most intriguing free agents on the board. His defensive instincts and playmaking ability are undeniable, but questions about his health, shooting, and fit in today’s NBA persist. Teams like the Heat, Warriors, Celtics, and Knicks have all weighed the pros and cons, but none have made a definitive move. As the league inches closer to training camp, Simmons’ future is as uncertain as ever, and all eyes remain fixed on where—if anywhere—he’ll land next.
The NBA offseason is rarely short on drama, but the ongoing saga of Ben Simmons stands out for its mix of hope, skepticism, and unanswered questions. Until a team finally takes the plunge, Simmons’ story will continue to be one of the most watched in basketball circles.
