Atlanta Hawks Should Take Low-Risk Swing On Ben Simmons

The Atlanta Hawks have been linked to a lot of star players this summer. Would forward Ben Simmons still count as a star?

At one time, that question would have been absurd. Simmons was an All-NBA-caliber player. Unfortunately, a combination of injuries and shooting limitations derailed his career.

In 2025-26, Simmons was out of the league. Now, he's looking to make his NBA return.

Should the Hawks facilitate his comeback?

Simmons didn't play last year, so it's hard to know what level he's currently on.

Astonishingly, he hasn't played 65 games in an NBA season since 2019-20. He played 51 in 2024-25, and before that, the last time he eclipsed 50 was 2020-21. To say that Simmons has struggled with durability would be an understatement.

The last time we saw him in action, he wasn't the All-NBA guy he'd once been with the Philadelphia 76ers. That said, Simmons was a fairly productive player in 2024-25. He averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game between his time with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.

Simmons has always been a heady passer in addition to being an outstanding defender. Still, his inability to shoot has made him a questionable point guard at times.

Do the Hawks even have a role for him?

This could be controversial:

But on a minimum contract, Simmons could be a good signing for the Hawks.

At this stage of his career, his best primary use may be as a backup 5. Yet Simmons is versatile enough that he doesn't have to be pigeonholed. He could spend time at the 4 and even a bit of time at the 1 as well.

The Hawks have already been willing to look beyond blockbuster moves for more realistic ways to improve their roster. Simmons would fit that approach.

If it works out, this could be the type of reclamation project that pushes teams over the top. The Hawks could be getting surplus value from Simmons on a minimum contract. If it doesn't?

No big deal. That's the beauty of a reclamation project. The Hawks will have invested virtually nothing in Simmons, so if they get nothing from him, he's a back-of-the-bench guy being compensated accordingly.

Fans will have a knee-jerk reaction. Simmons' name has left a bad taste in the mouths of many. Despite his flaws, there's no denying that he's been a quality NBA player far more often than not throughout his career.

Atlanta has already put together a productive offseason around its current core. As long as Simmons will accept a minimum contract, he'd be a sensible addition for a blossoming Hawks team.

Even if he doesn't count as a star anymore.