Ben Simmons Pursues NBA Comeback, Trains With Australia's Boomers
After sitting out last season to heal, Simmons joins a Melbourne minicamp as multiple NBA teams reportedly show interest.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 15 items across 2 sources · 1d ago. Quotes are verbatim.
Ben Simmons, who last played in 2024-25 split between the Nets and Clippers, has spent recent weeks hinting on social media at an NBA return after taking the season off to recover from injuries. Reports from ESPN's Marc J. Spears say Simmons will fully participate in a player-led Australian national team minicamp in Melbourne, that several NBA teams (including one offering a training camp invite) have expressed interest, and that he is open to a vet-minimum deal, with an eye on the 2028 LA Olympics.
- Ben Simmons, who sat out the 2025-26 season to heal injuries, is signaling interest in an NBA comeback via social media posts.
- He will fully participate in a player-led Australian national team minicamp in Melbourne, paying his own way, with reported hopes of playing in the 2028 LA Olympics.
- Reports say several NBA teams have expressed interest, including one offering a training camp invite, and Simmons is open to signing for the veteran minimum.
- Media coverage includes team-fit speculation (Clippers, Hornets, Lakers, Rockets) and mixed public reaction, including skepticism about reports of regained athleticism given weaker international competition.
How it unfolded
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A reddit commenter questions whether reports of Simmons regaining athleticism translate to NBA-level competition, noting international competition is weaker.
“I mean that's true against NBA offenses, but internationally? Random players always end up looking better since the competition is worse”
Artistic-Part3953 -
ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, RealGM, TSN, theScore and others republish and expand on the minicamp and team-interest reports.
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Analysis Team-fit speculation across outlets
Multiple team-specific pieces (Clippers, Hornets, Lakers, Rockets) analyze whether Simmons would make sense for their rosters amid comeback buzz.
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ESPN Andscape's Marc J. Spears reports several NBA teams, including one offering a training camp invite, have expressed interest in Simmons, that he is open to a vet-minimum contract, and that he will attend an Australian national team minicamp in Melbourne with 'zero restrictions.'
“NBA free agent forward Ben Simmons is expected to be a full participant with “zeros restrictions” in a player-led Aussie men's national team mini-camp in Melbourne beginning Monday, sources to @andscape.”
Marc J. Spears -
Coverage frames the Instagram post as the latest in a series of hints from Simmons about returning to the NBA, possibly to Philadelphia despite his bitter exit there.
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Simmons posted a gym photo on Instagram with a caption about his journey, fueling speculation about a return, following prior posts hinting at interest in rejoining Philadelphia.
“Grateful for where I’ve been. Proud of where I stand. Ready for wherever this goes.”
Ben Simmons · Mastodon ↗
What people are saying verbatim
“Grateful for where I’ve been. Proud of where I stand. Ready for wherever this goes.”
Ben Simmons, Free agent forward · Instagram (via Yardbarker) ↗ · Aug 7
“NBA free agent forward Ben Simmons is expected to be a full participant with “zeros restrictions” in a player-led Aussie men's national team mini-camp in Melbourne beginning Monday, sources to @andscape.”
Marc J. Spears, ESPN Andscape reporter · Bluesky · Aug 9
“Free agent forward Ben Simmons is expected to be a full participant with "zero restrictions" at a player-led private minicamp for the Australian men's basketball team in Melbourne, a source told ESPN Andscape.”
ESPN Andscape source, Unnamed source · ESPN · Aug 9
“I mean that's true against NBA offenses, but internationally? Random players always end up looking better since the competition is worse”
Artistic-Part3953, Reddit commenter · Reddit · Aug 9