Houston Rockets Eyeing Ben Simmons to Bolster Defense Amid Playoff Push
The Houston Rockets, despite a strong 32-19 record, have hit a rough patch, slipping to the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference following a five-game losing streak. While their defense has been a bright spot—ranking fourth in the NBA with a 109.4 defensive rating—their recent struggles have exposed some vulnerabilities, particularly in containing high-powered offenses.
Now, Houston is looking to reinforce its defensive core by exploring the addition of a former three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive Team selection: Ben Simmons.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Simmons is expected to finalize a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets and is in discussions with several teams, including the Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Simmons, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, once established himself as one of the league’s most dominant two-way players, even drawing comparisons to LeBron James. At his peak with the Philadelphia 76ers, he averaged 16.4 points, 8.0 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and led the NBA with 2.1 steals per game, finishing fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
This season, Simmons has shown flashes of his old form with the Nets, particularly on defense, where he posted a solid 1.2 defensive box plus-minus. His elite playmaking and defensive versatility could be a major asset for Houston, providing another trusted ball-handler while strengthening their perimeter and interior defense.
With the Rockets aiming for a deep playoff run, adding a proven defensive anchor like Simmons could be the missing piece to solidify their contender status in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
