Shaquille O’Neal did not hold back when discussing Ben Simmons during a recent episode of The Big Podcast, calling out the veteran guard’s lack of production compared to his earnings.
Speaking with comedian Roy Wood Jr., O’Neal criticized the current state of the NBA and pointed to Simmons as a glaring example of underperformance in the league.
The Hall of Famer questioned the value placed on certain players and expressed frustration with what he views as a significant decline in standards.
“But Ben Simmons [needs] to be f–king arrested,” O’Neal said, via New York Post. “$250 [million] for that bulls–t? Get the f–k out of my face. Robbing people, man. You can’t do that.”
O’Neal’s comments referenced the combined earnings Simmons has amassed throughout his career, despite consistent struggles with injuries and diminishing impact on the court.
Simmons, 28, had his contract bought out by the Brooklyn Nets on February 8, following another injury-plagued stint that saw limited production.
Two days later, the former No. 1 overall pick signed a veteran minimum deal with the Los Angeles Clippers worth $1.08 million for the remainder of the season.
His on-court numbers have plummeted since the move, averaging 3.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists across 17.1 minutes per game with Los Angeles.
Before the buyout, Simmons posted 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game in 25 minutes for the Nets.
He was previously on a five-year, $177 million contract originally signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, which later transferred to Brooklyn via trade in 2022.
O’Neal also touched on the broader shift in NBA competitiveness, saying modern players don’t meet the standards of past greats and criticizing the league’s lower physicality.
“People get mad. It’s just a product of what I’ve seen,” he said when asked about comparing current stars to former legends. “So, you want me to give these motherf–kers the same props you giving them? That s–t will never happen.”
This is not the first time O’Neal has been vocal about Simmons’ situation, previously calling him out for his refusal to play during his final days in Philadelphia.
Simmons’ career has been defined by a mix of All-Star level stretches and long periods of absence due to back issues and other injuries.
His last full, healthy season came in 2019-20 when he averaged 16.4 points, 8.0 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game while being named an All-Star for the third time.
Since then, his trajectory has steadily declined, with critics frequently pointing to his lack of offensive development and limited availability.
