Rich Paul: Simmons can still command a $30 million annual salary; there's plenty of untapped potential in him.

On July 6, Beijing time, it has been a full season since Ben Simmons last played in an NBA game. His last appearance was on April 30, 2025, during the Clippers' first-round playoff matchup against the Nuggets. By the end of that campaign, Simmons' trade value had significantly declined, and many teams considered him a risky acquisition. Still, LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, thinks there is hope yet.

Simmons’ dramatic drop in value stems from two main factors. First, his recurring injuries have been a persistent issue; second, he has shown a severe lack of confidence on the court, often hesitating to take shots and playing passively. Nonetheless, Paul remains confident that Simmons can rebuild his reputation.

“I remember having a conversation with Ben,” Paul said on a podcast. “I told him: ‘Bro, you still have so much untapped potential. Just focus on playing the pick-and-roll as a five man in the closing minutes of games. Your passing and playmaking will set you apart from the average rolling big man.’”

“We’ve seen too many rolling big men lacking basketball IQ,” Paul added. “But Ben has a high basketball IQ, and he’s been named to the All-Defensive First Team. All he needs is to find his role: roll to the rim for dunks after setting screens, and when the defense collapses, kick the ball out to the perimeter…If you stick to that style of play, you’re easily worth $30 million a year.”

Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, selected by the Philadelphia 76ers, which speaks to his exceptional talent. In the early part of his career, he lived up to that potential multiple times, earning three All-Star selections and two All-Defensive Team honors. However, chronic back issues, mental struggles, and a complete loss of confidence in his jump shot ultimately derailed his career.

According to reports, Simmons re-signed with Klutch Sports Group, the agency run by Rich Paul, in late 2025. The Australian forward had originally been represented by the agency early in his career before parting ways in 2023. Now back under the Klutch umbrella, Paul's goal is to help Simmons revive his NBA career.

Simmons recently expressed a desire to return and play in the NBA, with his preferred teams being his former club, the Philadelphia 76ers, or the Miami Heat.

“I’ll do everything I can to get my body into peak condition, step back onto the court, and show teams that they need what I can bring,” Simmons said in an interview.

“I haven’t decided which team to go to yet, maybe back to Philadelphia. Going to Miami would also be great, not just because of the city—I really respect Coach Spoelstra, and I admire the Heat organization, the management, and the culture there.”

Simmons has long struggled with chronic back pain and mental health issues, both of which have severely impacted his on-court performance. During the 2024-25 season, he started 24 games for the Nets, averaging just 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. After being bought out by the Nets, he signed a veteran minimum deal with the Clippers, where he played 18 games off the bench and saw his scoring average plummet to 2.9 points.

In contrast, during the 2018-19 season, when he was first selected as an All-Star, he averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game—a stark difference. After realizing how far his game had fallen, Simmons sat out the entire 2025-26 season.