Ben Simmons Pursuing Pro Fishing Glory After $203 Million NBA Career Sends Fans in Splits – “Basketball Was a Side Hustle”

Ben Simmons is still waiting for his next NBA contract after last playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2024-25 season.

Ben Simmons Pursuing Pro Fishing Glory After $203 Million NBA Career Sends Fans in Splits – “Basketball Was a Side Hustle”

Ben Simmons and LeBron James share the same agent (Image via FirstSportz)

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The name Ben Simmons has not been mentioned since the 2025-26 NBA season got into its groove, and most of the available free agent signings were completed.

The likes of Russell Westbrook had to wait until he signed on the dotted line to become part of the Sacramento Kings. But Simmons was not lucky enough to find a deal where he could continue playing basketball.

There were rumors that the Australian was contemplating retiring from the game altogether, as options became scarce. However, he still has an option open in case a team with a good role comes knocking on his door.

After last playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, the 29-year-old has spent most of his time sailing on his boat as he and his South Florida Sails take part in the Sport Fishing Championship.

The LSU star is the controlling operator of the Sails, and has dedicated his time to finding success angling. Marc J. Spears noted that it is not as if the 6′ 10″ guard has quit the NBA.

Rather, he has put his basketball career on hold as he continues to become healthy, and could make a return to the league with the right offer. Until then, he wants to focus on catching the best fish in order to help his South Florida Sails team with the championship.

Fans lose it as Ben Simmons trades a basketball for a fishing rod

When Ben Simmons invested in the South Florida Sails, he remarked that the gritty experience of spending days on the sea waiting to catch fish that could earn his team championship points was something that excited him.

For basketball fans, that came as a jolt, as they have seen the former Philadelphia 76ers’ draft pick struggle to make sense of his basketball career.

They brought up stories of his lack of commitment to that sport, where he ended up earning $203 million in paychecks, while barely playing half of the games he could have been a part of.

Fans had nothing but jokes and other sarcastic reactions to hearing the news that Ben Simmons had traded a basketball for a fishing rod. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Ben Simmons did mention that he is working his way back to being completely healthy so that he can play in the NBA when the right team with the right role comes calling. The only problem is that fans aren’t buying that claim.

LeBron James’ agent signs Ben Simmons back

When Ben Simmons was going through his trials and tribulations, Klutch Sports was representing him. But then, they dropped the guard from their roster of elite clients.

Ben Simmons and LeBron James share the same agent
Ben Simmons and LeBron James share the same agent (Image via SLAM/X)

It so happens that LeBron James‘ friend, Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports, was not happy with the way the then-Brooklyn Nets star was handling his career.

Now, they have mended ways, as Simmons confirmed to Marc J. Spears, reiterating that the two sides already had a good relationship and trust, which is why all they needed was to sort out their differences.

Being with Klutch Sports generally leads to some good contracts, but NBA teams are wary of Ben Simmons’ lack of commitment to fulfilling his potential. All those horror stories from his time with the Sixers are still fresh on everyone’s mind.

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