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A Career Revival, a Roster Solution, and a Potentially Unique Weapon

There are certain NBA players whose careers are defined by what they became. There are others whose careers are defined by what everyone believes they should have become.

Ben Simmons belongs in the second category.

Once viewed as the foundation of a franchise, Simmons entered the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, became an All-Star three times, earned All-NBA and All-Defensive honors, and established himself as one of the league’s most unusual young talents. Even now, the basic ingredients that made him special have not disappeared. At 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, Simmons remains a player with the physical profile of a forward or center, the defensive versatility of a wing, and the passing instincts of a point guard.

That combination is exactly why a move to the Miami Heat could make sense.

Miami would not need Ben Simmons to become the player Philadelphia once expected him to be. The Heat would not need him to average 20 points per game. They would not need him to suddenly become a reliable three-point shooter. They would not even necessarily need him to be their traditional starting point guard.

Instead, Miami could give Simmons something that has become increasingly rare in today’s NBA: a clearly defined role built around what he does well.

And ironically, that may be the environment that allows Simmons to rediscover the player everyone once believed he could become.

Miami Has Already Changed the Equation With Giannis

The Miami Heat’s acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo completely changes the basketball conversation surrounding the franchise.

Miami acquired Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee in July, sending Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis and significant draft capital to the Bucks. The move gave Miami something it had been missing: another superstar capable of changing the geometry of the entire floor.

But blockbuster acquisitions always create secondary problems.

You solve one problem and create another.

Miami acquired one of the greatest players in basketball, but it also surrendered several important pieces of its previous roster construction. Herro’s scoring and shot creation left with the trade, while Jaquez and Ware also departed. The Heat subsequently added Tim Hardaway Jr. and Klay Thompson to strengthen the perimeter shooting around Giannis.

The Thompson addition in particular makes the potential Simmons fit even more intriguing. Thompson remains one of basketball’s elite movement and spot-up shooters, ranking fourth all-time in made three-pointers and entering Miami after shooting 38.3% from three in 2025-26.

The question, then, becomes:

Who connects all of these pieces?

That is where Ben Simmons becomes fascinating.

Miami Doesn’t Need Another Scorer. It Needs Versatility.

The temptation when building around Giannis is to surround him with as many shooters as possible.

Miami is already doing exactly that.

Miami is also quietly building a much more reliable shooting environment around its stars. Davion Mitchell was recently clipped working on becoming a more consistent three-point threat after knocking down 90 threes last season. Andrew Wiggins is coming off a season in which he made 127 three-pointers, while Tim Hardaway Jr. gives Miami another proven perimeter shooter. Then there is Klay Thompson, who brings arguably the most decorated shooting résumé of the group along with championship experience. Even Bam Adebayo is continuing to expand his offensive game from the perimeter, knocking down a career-high 127 three-pointers last season.

That development is important when considering Ben Simmons. Miami would not be asking him to create offense in a lineup devoid of shooting. Instead, he could operate as a facilitator, screener and downhill playmaker with legitimate shooters surrounding him. The more reliable Miami becomes from three, the more valuable Simmons’ ability to attack the paint, create advantages and find open teammates could become.

But basketball is not simply about collecting shooters.

Eventually, somebody has to organize the offense.

Somebody has to get the ball moving.

Somebody has to defend multiple positions.

Somebody has to rebound.

Somebody has to push the ball in transition.

Somebody has to make the extra pass.

And somebody has to make the game easier for the stars.

Ben Simmons can potentially do all of those things.

The current Miami roster already includes Giannis, Bam Adebayo, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Bobby Portis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Klay Thompson, Nikola Jović and several young guards and forwards with nice upside.

What is missing is not necessarily another player who needs 15 shots a night.

What is missing is a player who can make the entire lineup more flexible.

Simmons can be that player.

The Defensive Possibilities Are Ridiculous

Imagine a Miami lineup featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Ben Simmons, Davion Mitchell and Klay Thompson.

That lineup would not simply be talented.

It would be structurally difficult to attack.

Giannis gives Miami elite size, length, help defense and transition ability.

Bam gives Miami one of the NBA’s most versatile defensive bigs. Outside of Jaylen Brown, not many other players can be argued as a better two-way player.

Davion Mitchell brings point-of-attack pressure and physicality.

Simmons adds another 6-foot-10 defender who can potentially guard guards, wings and forwards.

Then you have Thompson providing size and experience on the perimeter while also allowing Miami to punish defenses offensively.

The defensive possibilities become especially interesting because Simmons doesn’t have to be assigned to one position.

Against a smaller team, Miami could use him as a forward.

Against a team with a dominant wing, Simmons could take the matchup.

Against certain lineups, he could function as a small-ball center.

And because Bam and Giannis are both capable of defending in space, Miami would have unusual flexibility in how it handles pick-and-roll situations.

This is where Simmons becomes more than a reclamation project.

He becomes a tactical weapon.

Ben Simmons at Center Is the Experiment Nobody Is Talking About Enough

The most interesting part of a potential Miami-Simmons partnership may actually be the possibility of playing Simmons at center.

Not traditional center.

Not “Ben Simmons is now a full-time five.”

Rather:

Ben Simmons as a point-center.

Think about what that means.

A 6-foot-10 player with legitimate point-guard experience initiating offense from the center position creates a completely different offensive structure.

Imagine Simmons receiving the ball at the elbow.

Bam Adebayo is stationed in the corner.

Klay Thompson is on the opposite side.

Giannis is flashing toward the lane.

Simmons can read the defense.

He can hit Giannis.

He can attack downhill.

He can hand the ball off.

He can screen.

He can facilitate from the high post.

He can reverse the ball.

And he can potentially become the trigger man for Miami’s entire offense.

This is where his point-guard background becomes an advantage rather than something Miami is trying to hide.

The Simmons-Giannis Pick-and-Roll Could Be Extremely Difficult to Guard

One of the most fascinating possibilities would be an interchangeable pick-and-roll between Simmons, Bam and Giannis

Most teams are accustomed to identifying the ball handler and the screener.

But what happens when both players can realistically fill either role?

Simmons can initiate the possession.

Giannis can screen.

The defense has to decide whether to switch.

If it switches, Miami could potentially create a mismatch.

If it doesn’t switch, Giannis can roll into space.

If the defense loads up on Giannis, Simmons has an opportunity to attack.

Now reverse it.

Simmons becomes the screener.

Giannis handles the ball.

Simmons rolls.

Suddenly the defense has to account for a 6-foot-10 screener with a point guard’s passing instincts moving toward the basket.

And Simmons doesn’t necessarily need to finish every possession.

He can catch the ball on the move, make a quick decision and either attack or pass.

That is where his basketball IQ becomes valuable.

The High-Low Game Could Be Even More Interesting

Miami could also experiment with a high-low offense involving Simons, Giannis and Bam.

Picture Simmons operating around the elbow while Giannis establishes himself deeper in the paint.

Simons has multiple options.

He can feed Giannis.

He can attack.

He can hit a shooter.

He can initiate a dribble handoff.

He can screen and cut.

And if the defense collapses, Miami suddenly has multiple passing outlets.

Now add Bam’s improving perimeter shooting and Klay Thompson’s gravity.

The floor starts to look very different.

A defense cannot simply pack the paint against Giannis if Thompson is standing in the corner.

It cannot ignore Bam if he is comfortable spotting up.

It cannot necessarily put a small defender on Simons if Miami is intentionally using him as a screener and interior facilitator.

That is how Simons could become an offensive threat without becoming a high-volume scorer.

The Paradox: Not Being Asked to Score Could Make Simmons a Better Scorer

This might be the most important part of the entire argument.

Ben Simmons has spent years dealing with the perception that he needs to prove he can score.

That pressure has become part of the conversation surrounding him.

But what if Miami removed that pressure?

What if Simmons entered a situation where the coaching staff told him:

“We don’t need you to score 20. We need you to make the right play.”

That changes everything.

If Simmons gets five points because he created 12 points through assists, screens, offensive rebounds and transition opportunities, Miami can live with that.

If he scores 10 points efficiently while defending the opposing team’s best player, Miami can live with that.

And ironically, once the expectation to score disappears, Simmons may become more comfortable scoring when the opportunity actually presents itself.

Instead of forcing offense, he could simply take what the defense gives him.

A transition opportunity?

Attack.

A smaller defender?

Post him.

A wide-open lane?

Get downhill.

A defender playing too far off?

Take the space.

A mismatch near the basket?

Use his size.

That is a much healthier offensive environment for a player whose biggest problem has often appeared to be the relationship between expectation and aggression.

Transition Basketball Could Bring Back the Best Version of Simmons

One of Simmons’ most underrated strengths has always been his ability to run.

Miami has Giannis and Bam

That should tell you everything.

Giannis wants to run, Bam wants to run

Simmons wants to run.

Klay Thompson transition three pointers.

That could be terrifying.

Instead of waiting for a traditional point guard to bring the ball up, Simmons can grab a rebound and immediately become the initiator.

That is where his size becomes a major advantage.

A traditional point guard may have to find a big man.

Simmons can simply take the ball himself.

Rebound.

Push.

Attack.

Read the defense.

Make the pass.

Or finish.

That style of basketball could allow Miami to play faster without sacrificing size.

And with Giannis running alongside him, Simmons would constantly have one of the most dangerous transition players in NBA history occupying the defense’s attention.

Miami’s Player-Development Culture Makes This Even More Interesting

The Miami Heat have developed a reputation for maximizing players.

That does not mean every player who goes to Miami becomes a star.

It means Miami has consistently demonstrated an ability to identify specific strengths, develop role clarity and create environments where players can become more valuable than their previous reputation suggested.

The Heat have gotten major contributions from players who were overlooked, undervalued or placed into specialized roles.

Duncan Robinson became an elite shooting weapon.

Hassan Whiteside became one of the league’s premier rim protectors during his Miami run.

Max Strus, Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent all being highly sought out role players after breakout seasons with Miami.

The broader lesson is that Miami has historically been comfortable asking players to become exceptional at something.

That philosophy could be perfect for Simmons.

Instead of asking:

“Can Ben Simmons become the player we thought he would be?”

Miami could ask:

“What is the best version of Ben Simmons that we can build?”

That is a much better question.

Erik Spoelstra Might Be the Most Important Piece of the Entire Idea

If there is one coach who could make this experiment fascinating, it is Erik Spoelstra.

Spoelstra is one of the NBA’s greatest adjustment-oriented coaches.

His teams routinely change schemes, lineups and responsibilities based on personnel and matchup.

That matters tremendously with Simmons.

Because Simmons is not a traditional player.

If a coach insists that he be either a point guard or a center, the possibilities become limited.

Spoelstra would have the ability to say:

“Tonight you’re our point guard.”

Then:

“Tonight you’re our five.”

Then:

“Tonight you’re guarding their best forward.”

Then:

“Tonight you’re setting screens for Giannis.”

That is the kind of flexibility Simmons needs.

Miami doesn’t have to force him into a box.

It can build the box around him.

The Human Element Matters Too

There is another part of a potential Simmons-to-Miami move that basketball analysis often overlooks.

Environment matters.

Simmons has been under an extraordinary amount of media scrutiny throughout his career.

At different points, his confidence, shooting, aggression and willingness to attack have become national basketball debates.

A player does not simply walk onto the court and leave all of that outside the arena.

But Miami has a culture that is generally very protective of its players.

Spoelstra has consistently demonstrated loyalty to his players, while Miami’s veteran leadership could give Simmons a different environment from the ones he has experienced previously.

Now imagine Simmons playing alongside Giannis and Bam.

Both are established stars.

Neither needs Simmons to prove that he is the best player on the team.

They need him to help them win.

That distinction could be enormous.

If Simmons knows that Giannis wants him to make the right play, Bam trusts him defensively and Spoelstra believes in his decision-making, Simmons could potentially play with a level of freedom that has been missing from his game.

Miami Could Turn Simmons Into a Specialist Without Making Him One-Dimensional

The Heat have always understood something important about NBA basketball:

You don’t need every player to do everything.

You need players to do something exceptionally well.

That is why Miami has been willing to lean into specialists.

Shooters shoot.

Defenders defend.

Rim protectors protect the rim.

Ball handlers create.

The fascinating thing about Simmons is that he could potentially become a specialist in versatility.

His specialty could be:

Make the game easier.

Defend multiple positions.

Rebound.

Push transition.

Facilitate.

Screen.

Attack mismatches.

Create advantages.

Make the extra pass.

And occasionally score.

That is not a traditional role.

But Miami doesn’t need traditional.

Miami needs adaptable.

Simmons Could Help Balance Miami’s Size Problem

The Eastern Conference is also becoming increasingly physical and large.

Philadelphia, in particular, is now an interesting example.

LeBron James has officially joined the 76ers, joining Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, Anfernee Simons in a remarkably athletic and physically imposing roster.

That makes roster size increasingly important.

Miami already has Giannis and Bam.

Adding Simmons would give the Heat another player capable of providing legitimate size without sacrificing ball-handling ability.

That is an extremely valuable combination.

A conventional big might give Miami size.

A conventional guard might give Miami ball handling.

Simmons potentially gives Miami both.

Klay Thompson Makes the Simmons Experiment Even Better

This is where Miami’s recent roster construction makes the idea especially compelling.

The Heat have added Tim Hardaway Jr. and Klay Thompson giving Miami additional perimeter shooting around Giannis.

That means Miami could theoretically put Simmons in offensive situations where the floor is dramatically more spaced than it has been at other points in his career.

Consider this lineup:

Ben Simmons — Klay Thompson — Andrew Wiggins — Giannis Antetokounmpo — Bam Adebayo

Or a smaller variation:

Ben Simmons — Davion Mitchell — Klay Thompson — Giannis Antetokounmpo — Bam Adebayo

Now think about the offensive geometry.

Simmons initiates.

Giannis screens.

Bam flashes.

Thompson relocates.

Mitchell occupies the perimeter.

Simmons has options everywhere.

And if Simmons becomes the screener?

Even better.

Giannis handles the ball.

Simmons screens.

Bam moves into space.

Thompson drifts toward the weak side.

Now the defense has to make multiple decisions simultaneously.

That is what great offensive systems do.

They force defenses to make decisions.

The Most Important Question Is Not Whether Simmons Can Shoot

This is where the conversation surrounding Simmons has sometimes become too simplistic.

Yes, shooting matters.

Of course it does.

But if Miami’s entire evaluation of Simmons begins and ends with:

“Can he shoot?”

then Miami is evaluating him incorrectly.

The better question is:

“Can Simmons provide enough value in other areas to make his lack of shooting manageable?”

With Giannis, Bam, Thompson and other shooters around him, the answer could potentially be yes.

Miami does not need Simmons to be a five-out offensive player.

It needs him to make the offense function.

That is different.

This Would Also Be a Career Revival

Ultimately, this isn’t just about what Ben Simmons could do for Miami.

It is about what Miami could do for Ben Simmons.

A career revival does not necessarily mean Simmons suddenly becomes a 25-point-per-game superstar.

That may not even be necessary.

A career revival could mean Simmons becomes one of the most valuable role players in the NBA.

Imagine a version of Simmons who averages something like 6–12 points, 7–9 rebounds and 6–8 assists while defending multiple positions, pushing the pace and playing meaningful playoff minutes.

That player is valuable.

Very valuable.

And the NBA’s current perception of Simmons means Miami might potentially be acquiring that player at a fraction of the cost associated with his original expectations.

That is exactly the type of basketball gamble Miami has historically been willing to make. And has hit on that gamble more than any other organization.

The Bigger Vision

The best version of this idea is not:

“Miami should sign Ben Simmons because Ben Simmons is still a superstar.”

It is:

“Miami should sign Ben Simmons because the player he is today may fit Miami better than the superstar version everyone expected him to become.”

That distinction is critical.

Miami has Giannis.

Miami has Bam.

Miami has Davion Mitchell.

Miami has Klay Thompson.

Miami has Tim Hardaway Jr.

Miami has Andrew Wiggins.

Miami has Bobby Portis Jr.

Miami has someone else on that roster that will have a breakout season, that’s almost a guarantee.

The Heat don’t necessarily need another player demanding offensive possessions.

They need someone who can connect the pieces.

Simmons has the skill set to potentially become that connector.

He can initiate.

He can screen.

He can defend.

He can rebound.

He can pass.

He can run.

He can switch.

He can play multiple positions.

And, perhaps most importantly, he can give Miami another player who understands how to make decisions with the basketball.

Conclusion: Ben Simmons Could Be More Valuable to Miami Than His Reputation Suggests

The NBA has a tendency to define players by what they cannot do.

Ben Simmons cannot shoot consistently.

Ben Simmons has struggled with aggression.

Ben Simmons has dealt with injuries.

Ben Simmons has not become the superstar many expected.

All of those things can be true.

But they do not erase what he can do.

He is still 6-foot-10.

He still has elite passing instincts.

He still has defensive versatility.

He still has transition ability.

He still understands how to manipulate a defense.

And he still possesses a skill set that is incredibly unusual for a player his size.

Miami may be one of the few organizations capable of turning those individual abilities into a coherent role.

With Giannis and Bam anchoring the frontcourt, Davion Mitchell providing defensive pressure, and shooters such as Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. providing spacing, Andrew Wiggins and Bobby Portis being high level role players. Simmons would not have to carry the offensive burden.

He could simply be Ben Simmons.

But a different version of Ben Simmons.

A version who rebounds and pushes.

A version who facilitates.

A version who screens for Giannis.

A version who plays center for stretches.

A version who guards multiple positions.

A version who makes the extra pass.

A version who isn’t judged by how many points he scores but by how much better the team becomes when he is on the floor.

And that may be the most realistic path toward reviving his career.

The Miami Heat have already made the biggest move of the offseason by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo. They have added shooting with Hardaway and Thompson.

The next move does not necessarily need to be another star.

It might need to be a player who connects everything.

Ben Simmons could be that player.

And if Erik Spoelstra can unlock a version of Simmons who embraces being a 6-foot-10 point-center, transition creator, defensive weapon and connective passer rather than trying to prove that he is a traditional superstar, Miami might discover something far more valuable than a reclamation project.

They might discover a weapon that nobody else thought to use correctly.