The Denver Nuggets are at the point in the roster-building process where they're throwing pickles at the windows, hoping to get them to stick. They've had to be creative in free agency to build the best bunch they can around Nikola Jokic, so why not take a look at adding Ben Simmons to the roster? They're already bringing in Lonnie Walker IV for a tryout during training camp. Simmons should get an invite from the Nuggets as well, because there could still be usable miles left in the tank for the former Aussie star.
Sources: Several NBA teams have expressed interest to Simmons’ camp, including one West squad that offered a training camp invite. He is also open to signing a vet minimum contract. Simmons has dreams of playing for Australia during 2028 LA Olympics. Attending mini-camp aids hope
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 10, 2026
According to Marc J. Spears, Simmons is on the comeback trail, and he's right in the Nuggets veteran minimum wheelhouse price range. Were they the team that offered the former first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft a training camp invite?
Because if Simmons can still at least play defense at a top-flight level, his passing game checks out, and his ability to play point-forward with ball control is still there, then those are all usable qualities that the Nuggets need. And they should absolutely invite him to camp to check him out if the rumors of him "regaining his athleticism" are true.
Simmons could actually provide a good fit for the Nuggets
When I first thought about it, my initial reaction was that the Nuggets should avoid Simmons because he can't shoot. But then I thought, "The Nuggets still have Tyus Jones at backup point guard." Offensively, the two may be nearly equal. Which isn't saying much. But if Simmons did regain his athleticism, then on the defensive side, he's a huge upgrade over Jones.
Simmons is a former All-NBA Defensive First Team member, and while those days are long in the rearview mirror, it doesn't mean his defense has totally left the building. And with his size, he could be a wing defender, or he could even defend the four, while the quicker, EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year and new rookie Nugget Alpha Diallo takes on the duty of defending one of the opposing guards. So he fits well here.
Back to the offense. Simmons doesn't possess the elite ball control that Jones does, but he's also not going to be a liability. He's a good distributor, and despite losing playing time after being slowed by injuries over the years, Simmons still has a career 7.2 assists-per-game average. And with his size and ability to play the four, he could spell Aaron Gordon a bit to help keep the minutes down until the games begin to count in April. Win-win.
I'm not advocating for the Nuggets to sign Simmons. I'm advocating for them to be the team to bring him in for a tryout, just like with Walker. The Nuggets have nothing to lose and a defensive upside to gain if he truly is back in NBA form.
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