Ben Simmons’ time with the Brooklyn Nets seems to be coming to an end. The former No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft was absent for the Nets’ game against the Miami Heat on Friday night as the team works towards buying out his contract.
Coach Jordi Fernandez confirmed that Simmons would remain away from the team, though he refrained from making any further comments on the anticipated separation. He did, however, acknowledge Simmons’ effort to recover from a series of injuries that led to an underwhelming stint in Brooklyn. Fernandez praised Simmons for his persistence in returning to the court after surgery and playing in over 20 minutes per game.
However, Simmons’ time in Brooklyn has been disappointing compared to the Nets’ expectations when they traded for him in a deal involving James Harden at the 2022 trade deadline. Simmons did not play for the remainder of that season due to a back injury while trying to regain his form after sitting out the first part of the season in Philadelphia.
Simmons’ injury issues, primarily stemming from lower back nerve damage, continued to hinder his performance. He managed to play only half of the 2022-23 season and appeared in just 15 games during the following season.
Simmons has appeared in 33 of the Nets’ 51 games this season, starting 24 of them, and has averaged 6.2 points and 6.9 assists.
He is earning $40 million this season and will become a free agent afterward. Simmons is expected to meet with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers to discuss signing with them for the remainder of the season.
