Ben Simmons is healthy and primed to help Nets on the court
The Nets' Ben Simmons speaks during media Day at the HSS Training Center in Brooklyn on Monday. Credit: Ed Quinn
Ben Simmons has watched the Nets drastically change from when he arrived in February 2022. Mostly, he’s watched from the sidelines.
Simmons had surgery in March, his second in three years, to help fix his lingering back issues. Now for the second straight training camp, he aims to help the Nets on the court instead of support them in street clothes.
“Obviously, six months ago I had the surgery. I was down in Miami just rehabbing the whole time,” Simmons said Monday at Nets media day. “I got to the point where I’m cleared to play. I’ve been playing since I’ve been back in Brooklyn, so I’m ready to go.”
It’s a hope the Nets want to believe in even if their main focus is on a rebuilding year. Simmons was limited to only 15 games last season with a nerve impingement in his back and has played only 57 games since being traded from the 76ers.
General manager Sean Marks said last week that Simmons has been cleared to start training camp, which opens Tuesday. For now, there’s optimism, even if it’s tempered a bit.
“For him, I think he is chomping at the bit to be able to get out there and contribute,” Marks said of Simmons. “So this is a big year for him, just like it is for the rest of us.”
It could be Simmons’ last chance to regain his All-Star form in Brooklyn. He’s an unrestricted free agent after this season and the Nets owe him $40.3 million this season.
The Nets are also deciding who will stay in this next era. They have four first-round picks in next year’s draft and with seven players on expiring deals, this season could feel like job auditions for the future, whether it’s in Brooklyn or for another team.
Simmons has also struggled to regain his lofty heights even when healthy. Last season, he thrived as a rebounder and facilitator but scored in double figures just four times in 15 games.
Yet Simmons has been vocal in his appreciation of the Nets’ support and it helped fuel him during his offseason rehab and workouts.
“I had days where I’d have a tough day of playing and the next day I’d be locked up in my back,” Simmons said. “I haven’t had one setback all rehab or since I’ve been playing and been cleared. So I’ve had no setbacks, everything’s going well, so the job is to play, and continue to play.”
First-year coach Jordi Fernandez wants the Nets to play fast and Simmons helps with that. But given his injury history, the Nets have point guard insurance with Dennis Schroder.
Fernandez said Thursday that no starting spots have been decided as he wants to let things play out in camp. It sets up a point guard battle between Simmons and Schroder, but Schroder downplayed any friction.
He said Simmons looked great during minicamps in September. The two were often on opposing teams during full-court games, but when they were on the same team, Schroder said they played well together.
“I’m really excited about him being healthy,” Schroder said. “All the noise on social media, what everybody was saying about him. I’m really looking forward for him to shut everybody up because he’s really ready.”
Simmons said he’s avoided seeing any criticism coming from social media. He’s also avoided praise, including words from his trainer, Chris Brickley, saying Simmons looks better than he did in his All-Star seasons.
Whatever Simmons is, he’d rather show it than feed into what’s said about him. It’s all he can do since Nets fans are used to him sidelined and he’s playing for his next contract.
For now, Simmons is ready and healthy. Time will tell if his body holds up its part of the deal to support his mindset.
“I want to play basketball at a high level and get the most I can out of my body,” Simmons said. “And that’s the focus . . . the money’s nice and all that, but I want to play and play healthy.
“At the end of the day, I love playing basketball. And that’s what I want to do.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
