NBA reporter Marc J. Spears of ESPN spoke to someone close to Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons and the source said Simmons “is as healthy as he has ever been” since his final season with the Philadelphia 76ers, which was in 2020-21.
“I would say he’s in the final stage of prep for the season and he has passed every benchmark and is as healthy as he has ever been since his last year in Philly,” the source close to Simmons told Spears. “Brooklyn has been incredibly supportive and the plan is for him to be the Nets’ point guard and primary ballhandler this coming season. The expectation is he will fully resume his career at the level he has [played at] prior to leaving Philadelphia.”
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 Sixers 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 after winning the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year Award and making three All-Star teams, one All-NBA team and two All-Defensive teams with the Sixers.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons & Brooklyn Nets Updates
However, Simmons never developed a jumper and he’s now considered one of the most overrated players in the NBA. In 317 games with the Sixres and Nets, 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.
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.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons & Brooklyn Nets Updates
The first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons has career averages of 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists. It will be fascinating to see how he plays next season for the Nets.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
