NBA Team Urged to Replace $245 Million Injured Star With Ben Simmons

NBA Team Urged to Replace $245 Million Injured Star With Ben Simmons originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Ben Simmons has remained unsigned this offseason. The former No. 1 pick did not put up the numbers he used to back when he played for the Philadelphia 76ers, where he made multiple All-Star teams, multiple All-Defense teams, and an All-NBA team.

In 50 games combined with the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 season, Simmons averaged five points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field. Those are a far cry from the numbers he put up with the Sixers.

At the same time, Simmons has shown that he can still pass and rebound well for his size. While he has shown the Nets and Clippers that his All-Star days are behind him, Simmons could have a market because of his abilities as an all-around player. It would depend on what his next team would want from him.

A team that would work as Simmons' next destination would be the Indiana Pacers. The Ringer's Michael Pina explained why he believes Simmons could work on the Pacers as a one-year rental.

"Why not become the starting point guard for the Indiana Pacers?" Pina wrote. "Throw Simmons the keys, ask him to impersonate Tyrese Haliburton, and just see what happens? This roster was built to accommodate and emphasize a pass-first point guard who races up and down the court. Why not take a flier?"

Pina explained that even if Simmons has his holes, the Pacers don't have much to lose by adding him.

"It’s a no-lose situation for Indy," Pina wrote. "Yes, nobody will guard Simmons when he doesn’t have the ball, which is one of several key differences between him and the All-Star he’d be replacing. But if Simmons stinks, no harm, no foul! He’d be on a veteran’s minimum contract for a team with zero expectations until Haliburton’s Achilles recovers."

wrote about 5 unrestricted free agents who still don’t have a home, and tried to find a good fit for each one (if such a thing exists) https://t.co/Hv9nSpSf3C

— Michael Pina (@MichaelVPina) July 29, 2025

The Pacers officially announced that Haliburton will miss the 2025-26 season because of his Achilles injury.

Related: NBA Fans Bracing for Ben Simmons News After Celtics’ Roster Move

Related: Ben Simmons to Celtics Deemed Unlikely for One Reason

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.