Are They Really Done? Two Former All-Star Guards Face an Uncertain NBA Future

As the 2025–26 NBA preseason tips off, rosters across the league are nearly finalized — and for a few remaining free agents, time is running out. Among them, two names stand out: Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons. Once All-Star icons, both now find themselves without a team and at a potential career crossroads.

🏀 Russell Westbrook: The Veteran Still Fighting

2024–25 stats: 13.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.4 SPG

Last season, Westbrook reinvented himself with the Nuggets, thriving as a sixth man and contributing energy off the bench. His playoff performances reminded fans of his trademark intensity — even in defeat to the Thunder, he proved his heart never fades.

Yet at 36, Father Time is catching up. His once-elite explosiveness is gone, and his unreliable shooting remains a glaring weakness. Opponents frequently left him open beyond the arc, turning his offensive limitations into tactical liabilities. Add in offseason hand surgery, and it’s clear why teams are hesitant.

Still, hope remains. The Kings, Rockets, and Celtics have all reportedly shown interest. If healthy, Westbrook could once again carve out a meaningful veteran role — maybe not as the star he was, but as the competitor he’s always been.

🧩 Ben Simmons: The Fall of a Prodigy

2024–25 stats: 2.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.1 APG

When Simmons entered the league in 2016, many saw him as the next LeBron James — a 6'10" playmaker with elite defense and court vision. Three All-Star appearances and two All-Defensive selections later, he looked destined for greatness.

But since his trade to Brooklyn, his career has spiraled. Over the past four seasons, he’s played just 108 games while earning $147 million, earning the media nickname “The Real Steal.” His time with the Clippers showed flashes of his defense but almost no offensive confidence. Teams routinely sagged off him, daring him to shoot.

Worse still, Simmons reportedly rejected a contract offer from the Knicks this offseason because it was too low — and even fired his agent afterward. That decision may have sealed his fate. At 29, he should be in his prime, yet he’s dangerously close to falling out of the league entirely.

⚡ Two Stars, Two Paths

Westbrook battles time. Simmons battles himself.
One shows humility and grit; the other, pride and stagnation.
Their journeys now stand as a stark reminder in professional sports:
Talent fades — but mentality endures.