Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges told Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Paul George on George’s podcast that he loves Ben Simmons and is confident the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft will have a terrific 2023-24 season.
Simmons only appeared in 42 games last season due to knee and back issues. He averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
The Nets acquired Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers in the blockbuster James Harden trade. Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a holdout and back injury. He was projected to be one of the faces of the NBA just a few years ago. Simmons won the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year Award and made three All-Star teams, one All-NBA team and two All-Defensive teams with the Sixers.
However, Simmons never developed a jumper and he’s now considered one of the most overrated players in the league.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Mikal Bridges & Brooklyn Nets Updates
In 317 NBA games, Simmons has made only five 3-pointers. The LSU product signed a massive five-year, $177.2 million maximum rookie contract extension with Philadelphia in 2019. Simmons, 27, will make $37.9 million next season.
The Nets, who got swept by the Sixers in the first round of the 2023 playoffs, expect Simmons to be healthy when training camp starts.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Mikal Bridges & Brooklyn Nets Updates
“He is on the court … no setbacks. I talked to him a day, two days ago. We’ll continue to see him [improve],” Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn said. “I’m going to go with Ben’s statement. We always want to look forward to the athlete being in the right frame of mind, the right space to be on the floor.”
Simmons has received credit for a year of service for the 2021-22 season, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN. The lefty now has seven official years of service in the NBA despite not playing a single game in 2021-22.
The Phoenix Suns traded Bridges to the Nets in the Kevin Durant trade last season. Bridges took his game to another level with Brooklyn, averaging 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 27 games with the Nets.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
