It is no secret that the Brooklyn Nets' 2024-25 season will be crucial for Ben Simmons. Simmons will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, and his tenure in the borough has not gone as expected due to recurring injuries. Nevertheless, Simmons is healthy again, and despite doubts about his playing ability and motivation, he is highly intentional about the upcoming campaign.
Simmons has played just 57 games with the Nets since the Philadelphia 76ers traded him in 2022. The culprit for Simmons' lack of availability is back pain that progressed into serious injuries and surgeries. Some fans and analysts have understandably not been pleased with Simmons' showing, and his $40 million price tag for 2024-25 only increases frustration against the forward.
But Simmons is not worried about outside opinions. He expressed his desire to do everything possible to help the young Nets in what could be his final year with the team, what could be his final year in the NBA.
“We have a younger team that I want to help these guys get better. I want to lead by example. I want to compete,” Simmons told New York Post, per Brian Lewis. “Jordi [Fernandez, coach] is coming in first year. It’s a big year for him. I want to be a leader on this team.
“So f*** what happens next year, and what contract I get, if I get a contract. I want to do my job while I’m here and be professional and help these guys in any way I can. So who knows? I want to play as long as my body will allow me. So if it’s one year, five years, six years, I don’t know what it is. But I just want to keep going until I can’t anymore.”
Ben Simmons is not done yet
Simmons may have had his rough patches, but that will not stop him from giving his best effort in 2024-25. He is focused on maintaining a healthy mindset to pair with his improved health. Simmons provided further insight to Brian Lewis about how he is cautious about what he consumes on social media, given the tendency for discourse to turn unconstructive.
In his 2024-25 NBA preseason debut, Simmons amassed two points, three assists, and two rebounds in 13 minutes. Fans can expect to see much more action from him, as gives the Nets everything he has to offer during this crucial season.