Ben Simmons is not, never has been and never will be associated with the Utah Jazz. However, once upon a time, he was among the Jazz's biggest enemies back in the day. That's what should make it all the more comical to Jazz fans to see how far he's fallen a few years.
The New York Post's Stefan Bondy reported that Simmons is considering leaving the NBA, despite having some interest in free agency.
“Ben Simmons has generated interest from the Knicks and another team but is also questioning whether he even wants to continue playing in the NBA next season, The Post has learned.”
Once upon a time, the three-time All-Star was floated as a free agent target for the Jazz, but that came only because of how much his value had decreased over the years. Simmons' downfall has been on display since 2021, and the Jazz have had absolutely nothing to do with it. However, it is remarkable to consider how Simmons was once an indirect problem for Utah.
He beat Donovan Mitchell for Rookie of the Year in 2018
This was an argument that Jazz fans remember quite well. While Mitchell was the NBA's biggest rookie surprise, Simmons' dominated from the jump his rookie season in Philadelphia. However, while many debated who was better, the real controversial topic was whether Simmons should have been considered a rookie to begin with.
Simmons was drafted the year before Mitchell but missed the season due to a foot injury. Because of that, there was a big stir as to whether Simmons should have been considered a rookie. Ultimately, voters thought he was, which led to him winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2018.
While it's not like it was the biggest deal for Mitchell to lose, he would have been the second Jazz rookie to win it since Darrell Griffith did it in 1981.
He was Rudy Gobert's stiffest competition for Defensive Player of the Year in 2021
Once upon a time, there was a debate about who was the NBA's best defender between Gobert and Simmons. Their strengths on that side of the floor were apples and oranges, as Gobert is one of the best rim protectors of all time, while Simmons was more of a shutdown perimeter defender.
Like Mitchell and Simmons three years prior, this became a heated debate for months, with many believing Gobert only won because of reputation. Luckily, Simmons didn't win this one, but it remains clear how much Simmons competed with esteemed Jazz alumni for accolades.
So to see Simmons' career potentially about to end after he was once put in the same breath as Jazz legends and future Hall of Famers should get a real chuckle out of the fanbase.