Ben Simmons says he is attempting an NBA comeback, with the Miami Heat among his preferred landing spots

Ben Simmons says he is plotting an NBA comeback and is looking for a fit that could bring him back to active roster basketball, with the Miami Heat listed as one possible landing spot. Simmons, a former All-Star and the NBA’s No. 1 overall pick, framed his situation as a process, describing his intent to return while also acknowledging a non-basketball direction he has pursued during his time away from games.

According to the report, Simmons has not played during last season. In the same period, he has also been pursuing professional fishing, a career pivot that has been widely noted but is now being discussed directly as part of his broader timeline. The combination is central to the story because a return attempt is coming after a meaningful absence, which typically forces both player and team to treat readiness and role definition as priorities.

The report also characterizes Simmons as a pending free agent, which is an important practical detail for how the league could treat his return. When a player is available on the free-agent market, teams can explore timing and expectations more directly than if a player is locked into another contract structure. For Simmons, that means conversations can center on whether there is a realistic path to regain a consistent playing rhythm and settle into a clear on-court identity.

Miami’s name in this context matters because the Heat are a franchise that has repeatedly emphasized fit, process, and systematic integration. Even without assuming specific roster actions, the pairing indicates that Simmons and his representatives view Miami as a place where responsibilities can be structured and where rebuilding a role is treated as part of team development rather than an immediate, all-or-nothing demand.

Simmons’ history raises additional context for what “comeback” means at this stage. He entered the league as an elite prospect and a featured centerpiece early in his career, then later faced the reality that NBA performance is judged week to week, not on reputation alone. The report’s framing suggests Simmons is approaching his next step as a longer-term attempt to return to the level that once made him a centerpiece.

Still, not all comeback attempts translate into an immediate return to meaningful minutes. A pending free agent who has not played for an extended period can face adjustment questions that are as much about conditioning and rhythm as basketball skill. For Miami, any interest would likely come with internal scrutiny about how Simmons’ strengths translate to the modern style of play and how quickly he can be deployed in games.

What to watch next is whether Simmons’ free-agent status becomes more concrete, such as any public indication from the team or league process that he is progressing toward a roster opportunity. The Heat-versus-Simmons connection, as described, could also set a broader market tone, since other teams assessing roster depth may view his availability and personal timeline as a chance to evaluate a low-risk, high-upside project if the fit is right. For now, the core development is the declaration itself: Simmons is actively seeking a return, and Miami is in the conversation as he does.