Welcome to another edition of “Trash Player of the Week,” where we take a deep dive into the overpaid, underperforming, and downright disappointing stars of the sports world. This week, the dubious honor goes to none other than Ben Simmons—a man who has somehow managed to transform from a potential generational talent into the NBA’s most expensive benchwarmer.

The Hype That Never Was

Once upon a time, Ben Simmons was considered the next big thing in the NBA. A 6’10” point guard with the vision of Magic Johnson and the athleticism of LeBron James, he was supposed to be a game-changer. Drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, Simmons was the crown jewel of the Sixers’ “Trust the Process” era—a franchise savior who was expected to bring multiple championships to a city starved for success.

Simmons didn’t disappoint at first. He won Rookie of the Year in 2018, made three All-Star teams, and was consistently praised for his defense and playmaking abilities. But there was always a glaring hole in his game: the man couldn’t shoot. And I don’t mean he couldn’t shoot like, say, Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t shoot free throws—I mean he literally refused to take shots outside of five feet from the basket. It was as if the three-point line was some kind of electric fence and the mid-range was filled with quicksand.

The Playoff Meltdown

The cracks in the Simmons facade became chasms during the 2021 NBA Playoffs, particularly in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks. With the series tied 2-2, Simmons’s refusal to shoot became more than just a quirk; it became a liability. In Game 7, he famously passed up an open dunk late in the fourth quarter, opting instead to dish the ball to a teammate who was immediately fouled. It was the kind of decision that screamed, “I’m afraid to fail,” and it cost the Sixers dearly. They lost the game, and the series, on their home floor.

That was the moment when the Ben Simmons hype train officially derailed. Philadelphia fans—who are notorious for their, let’s say, “passionate” criticism—turned on him with a vengeance. Head coach Doc Rivers and star teammate Joel Embiid didn’t help matters, openly questioning Simmons’s desire and competitiveness in the post-game press conferences. Simmons responded by going AWOL, demanding a trade, and refusing to play for the Sixers at the start of the next season.

The Brooklyn Disaster

After months of drama, Simmons finally got his wish: he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022 as part of a blockbuster deal that sent James Harden to Philadelphia. The change of scenery was supposed to reinvigorate Simmons, freeing him from the toxic environment in Philly and allowing him to start fresh alongside superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

It didn’t.

Simmons didn’t play a single game for the Nets during the remainder of the 2021-22 season, citing a back injury and mental health concerns. The Nets, who were desperate for his defensive prowess and playmaking ability, were left to watch as their season spiraled out of control. They were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, and Simmons was nowhere to be found.

By the time the 2022-23 season rolled around, the patience of both the Nets and their fans had worn thin. Simmons did eventually return to the court, but he was a shell of his former self. The explosiveness was gone, the defensive intensity had diminished, and—most damning of all—the shooting was still non-existent. He averaged a career-low 6.9 points per game, a far cry from the All-Star numbers that had once defined him.

The $177 Million Question

All of this brings us to the most baffling aspect of Ben Simmons’s fall from grace: his contract. The man is currently in the middle of a five-year, $177 million deal that was supposed to be a testament to his value as a cornerstone of a championship team. Instead, it’s become one of the worst contracts in NBA history—a financial albatross that the Nets are stuck with, barring a miracle trade.

Simmons’s salary for the 2023-24 season is $38 million. To put that in perspective, that’s more than what Jayson Tatum, Ja Morant, and Donovan Mitchell are making this year. It’s more than what Nikola Jokic, the two-time MVP and reigning NBA champion, made during his first MVP season. And what are the Nets getting for their money? A player who’s afraid to shoot, can’t stay healthy, and is more of a distraction than an asset.

It’s not just the money that makes Simmons’s situation so frustrating—it’s the wasted potential. Here’s a guy who has all the physical tools to be one of the best players in the league, yet he seems completely unwilling to address the most glaring weakness in his game. Shooting can be improved with practice and dedication; just look at how Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jason Kidd transformed their games by putting in the work. But Simmons? He’s stuck in a self-imposed purgatory, content to let his career stagnate while cashing those hefty checks.

Where Do We Go from Here?

At this point, it’s hard to see a way forward for Simmons. The Nets are reportedly shopping him around the league, but there are few takers for a player with his baggage and that kind of contract. Some have suggested that a change in role—perhaps moving him to a power forward position—could unlock his potential, but that seems like wishful thinking at best.

The sad truth is that Ben Simmons may never fulfill the promise that once made him a No. 1 overall pick and a three-time All-Star. He may go down as one of the biggest “what ifs” in NBA history—a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency and the importance of mental toughness in professional sports.

As for now, Simmons is stuck in basketball limbo—a $177 million benchwarmer who’s more likely to be the butt of jokes than the hero of a championship run. And that’s why Ben Simmons is our Trash Player of the Week. Congratulations, Ben—you’ve truly earned it.