Ben Simmons takes to social media to reveal the real reason he isn’t rushing to return to the NBA

He’s without an NBA contract this season and has rejected multimillion-dollar contracts, now Ben Simmons has set the record straight on his return to the big league.

Ben Simmons has taken to social media to confirm his delayed return to the NBA is about health and not the dollars, declaring he would “play for free”.

Simmons is yet to secure a contract for this season, even knocking back a veteran minimum $3 million deal from the New York Knicks.

Based on his social media, the former No.1 draft pick is spending his time on his jet ski and playing with his dog.

However, Simmons moved to give greater context to his situation when he replied to a fan’s comment on his Instagram post with a puppy.

The fan said: If @sixers asked you back to play center / pf would you come back on minimum contract would you?.

Ben Simmons says he would ‘play for free’ in the NBA. Picture: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Simmons pictured relaxing back home in Australia near the Whitsundays. Picture: Instagram

Simmons replied: It ain’t about the $, id hoop there for free.

“It’s deeper then what they make y’all believe which is why i keep it pushing. “The focus is gettin the body to 100% before putting my health on the line again… like i have been the past few years.”

Simmons has been plagued by a back issue in recent seasons, restricting him to just 82 games in the past three seasons.

The Melbourne-born guard is one of the NBA’s best defenders when fit, but his back has made it difficult to fulfil his potential.

Ben Simmons confirmed his status via social media.

It’s largely why Simmons isn’t rushing into a return to the NBA, even if it means he has to take a significant haircut on his previous maximum contract worth a whopping $258 million over five years.

The sad reality is the 29-year-old’s career has dipped since his ugly exit from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Simmons refused to train and it resulted in $20 million in fines before the Sixers eventually traded him and his nine-figure contract to Brooklyn, but he was then sidelined by surgery for a herniated disc in his back.

The back issues followed him to the LA Clippers – and despite showing glimpses of his best form – he remains without a contract with the 2025/26 NBA season underway.

Originally published as Ben Simmons takes to social media to reveal the real reason he isn’t rushing to return to the NBA