Here it comes! Congratulations to Simmons! Finally, a team has stepped up to take him on.

Wow, at last a team has extended an olive branch.

According to foreign media reports,the Australian NBL league is exploring the chance of Simmons returning.

Simmons is Australian and spends most off-seasons in Australia, but since he moved to the U.S. for high school basketball, he has never played in the Australian domestic league.

Simmons has already denied retirement rumors; at just 29, he should still be in his prime. As long as he’s willing, even if he can’t stay in the NBA, he should be able to find a spot in other leagues.

NBL expert Lowry said that if Simmons joins the NBL, he would be unstoppable.

However, three-time NBL champion and two-time MVP Anstey disagreed, saying Simmons lacks competitive drive and shooting ability, making it hard to call him dominant.

From 2017 to 2021, no one would doubt Simmons could dominate the NBL, having been a 3-time NBA All-Star, once on the All-NBA Third Team, and twice on the All-Defensive First Team; but from 2021 to 2025, Simmons faded into obscurity, plagued by injuries and poor attendance, losing both his offensive skills and confidence.

Simply put, Simmons is now quite a liability. His playmaking and defense remain solid, but when he’s on the court, the team often plays 4-on-5, and there’s always the risk of him being sidelined. Of course, it’s possible that leaving the NBA for the NBL could revive his career, making him feel no pain and slam dunks every night with enthusiasm.

To be honest, probably only the NBL would take him out of sentiment and commercial value. No CBA teams showed interest during this summer’s off-season, which shows how unpopular he is now. As mentioned, he’s quite a liability, and since there are other options, why take the risk?

Simmons is definitely one of the fastest declining stars in the NBA in recent years, and it all started with that crucial empty pass in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals...