Ben Simmons Joins Australia Minicamp, Eyes 2026-27 NBA Return and 2028 Olympics

Q: Which mystery Western Conference team is secretly betting on Ben Simmons to become the ultimate low-risk, high-reward steal?

It has not been publicly identified. ESPN/Andscape’s Marc J. Spears reported only that a Western Conference team has offered Ben Simmons a non-guaranteed training-camp deal, and no outlet in the material provided names the club. What is clear is the type of bet being made. Simmons, 30, is pursuing an NBA return for 2026-27 after missing last season to recover from back and other injuries. He is reportedly open to a minimum contract, and the offer on the table is non-guaranteed, which makes it a classic low-risk move for a team looking to test whether his defense, size, and playmaking can still translate. The strongest public clues point more to speculation than fact. Media discussions and commentary have floated teams such as the Warriors, Lakers, Kings and Timberwolves as logical fits, but those are suggested landing spots, not confirmed suitors. The only confirmed details are that several teams have shown interest and that one unnamed Western Conference team has made the camp offer. His participation in Australia’s Boomers minicamp in Melbourne matters here. Simmons is expected to take part with “zero restrictions,” and that session is being treated by NBA evaluators as a live test of both his health and commitment. Until a team or Simmons confirms the identity of the offer, the “mystery West team” remains exactly that: unknown.

1 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 10

Melbourne minicamp begins Monday with Ben Simmons in attendance, his clearest step yet toward returning to high-level basketball after sitting out all of last season.
The 30-year-old is targeting an NBA comeback in 2026-27 and hopes the Australia camp can restart his case for a Boomers spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
That bid faces a credibility test: Simmons has not played for Australia since 2013 and missed the last three Olympic cycles, so he must prove both value and commitment.
NBA interest has not vanished entirely — ESPN reported a Western Conference team offered a non-guaranteed fall minicamp deal after Simmons last played 51 games in 2024-25.
His return push also revives broader questions about a career that once included the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year award, three Philadelphia All-Star selections and a long injury-disrupted decline.