After recently telling Marc J. Spears of Andscape that he’s still working toward a possible NBA return, former No. 1 overall pick and three-time All-Star Ben Simmons opened up further about his situation in a conversation with Sam Jane of The Athletic.
Simmons explained that his decision to remain unsigned is rooted in ongoing physical challenges, particularly the back issues that have affected both his career and daily life for several years.
He described how the discomfort has extended beyond the court, impacting routine activities and travel.
“(It’s) one of those things where you’re dealing with it every day, sitting down, going to sleep, flying on planes,” the player said. “People don’t understand that.”
Simmons noted that after the 2024/25 season, he made a conscious choice to step away from immediate contract talks and instead focus on a longer recovery process.
Rather than rushing back and risking another setback, he wanted to give his body the time it needs to fully recover. While training in Los Angeles, his goal has been to build himself back to a point where injuries are less likely to derail his career again.
“I’m about to be 30 years old, and I need to make the best decision for Ben Simmons,” he said. “It’s not fun going out there, not being able to move, not be able to jump, or, you know, take hits. There’s no fun in that.
“Sometimes you got to make a decision with how you feel and what’s best for yourself. And that’s what I’ve done, and it’s not for everybody to really understand, because they’re not in my shoes.”
Ben Simmons is focused on getting rid of his back pain: https://t.co/Vnh4gKMlxK
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 31, 2025
