The Los Angeles Lakers are still searching for ways to strengthen their roster around Luka Doncic, and Ben Simmons might be one of the most intriguing options left in free agency. There are definitely concerns with Simmons, but if the former All-Star is healthy and open to signing for the veteran minimum, the Lakers have good reason to consider giving him a shot.
Simmons missed the entire 2025-26 NBA season to recover from back and other injuries that have slowed down what was once a very promising career. Now at 30, he’s trying to make an NBA comeback, and early reports about his health are positive.
Regained Athleticism
Simmons has regained his athleticism after spending much of the past year training in Miami, according to Marc J. Spears of ESPN. This should catch the Lakers’ attention. Simmons’ combination of size, speed and athleticism was what once allowed him to become one of the NBA’s most versatile players, particularly on the defensive end.
Before injuries changed his career, Simmons was among the best defenders in the league. He made the All-Defensive First Team in both 2020 and 2021, and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in the 2020-21 season.
Standing 6-foot-10, Simmons could guard almost any position and was also great at creating plays in transition. In his first four NBA seasons, he always averaged at least 7.7 assists per game, offering teams a rare mix of top defense and playmaking from a forward.
Betting on Upside
No one should expect Simmons to instantly return to his All-Star form from his days with the 76ers, but the Lakers wouldn’t need him to be that good for a minimum contract to be a great deal. If Simmons has even most of his old athleticism back, Los Angeles could get a strong defender and secondary playmaker without giving up any trade assets.
There’s really no financial risk in taking a chance on Simmons with a minimum deal. He’s reportedly open to signing for the minimum, and several NBA teams are interested. One Western Conference team has even offered him a non-guaranteed training camp contract.
For the Lakers, Simmons could guard the other team’s best perimeter player and give Doncic another ball-handler to help run the offense. His rebounding and ability to quickly push the ball up the court would also give Los Angeles another way to score before defenses are ready.
Offensive Problem
Simmons’ biggest problem has always been that he can’t or won’t shoot, which is a real issue on a team built around Luka. The Lakers need players who can space the floor, and Simmons isn’t likely to become a reliable three-point shooter at 30.
A bigger question is whether Simmons will attack the basket again. If he’s got his athleticism back but still hesitates to take open layups or finish strong at the rim, his offensive issues will still make it hard to keep him on the court.
Even then, the Lakers would basically be getting an upgraded version of Jarred Vanderbilt. Simmons could offer the same defensive versatility, rebounding, and size, but he’s a much better ball-handler and playmaker.
This comparison also shows why Simmons wouldn’t fix every problem for the Lakers. Playing him with Vanderbilt would create significant spacing issues, so Simmons would probably need to play a similar role as a defensive specialist, used as needed depending on the matchup.
Worth the Gamble
The Lakers won’t find perfect players for the veteran minimum in August, so it makes sense to look at what Simmons could become instead of focusing only on what’s gone wrong in recent years. His injuries, lack of shooting, and offensive hesitancy are real concerns, but that’s also why someone with his background is available at this price.
If Simmons is anywhere near his old self physically, the Lakers could get an elite defender and playmaker for the minimum. Even if his offensive confidence doesn’t come back, they’d still get an improved version of Vanderbilt who adds more playmaking to the lineup.
Of course, there’s a chance Simmons’ comeback won’t work out, and the Lakers shouldn’t plan their whole offseason around it. But when the possible reward is a former All-NBA and All-Defensive player for just a minimum contract, this is exactly the kind of risk Los Angeles should take.
