Brooklyn Nets fans have been waiting for the entire offseason to get a glimpse of rising seventh-year forward Ben Simmons. Simmons has endured numerous injury woes, but reports have indicated he is 100 percent healthy going into the 2024-25 season. Brooklyn is no longer in a contending position like it was when Simmons joined the team with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. So what will his role look like on the rebuilding Brooklyn squad?
Simmons may not be at the level he was with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he still has plenty to offer to the Nets. First-year head coach Jordi Fernandez shined light on Simmons' status going into training camp at Brooklyn's press coference on Sep. 26:
“Ben's been very good. Had a successful surgery. Really good summer. He sits in a very good place,” Jordi Fernandez said, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints. “But we'll treat him the same way as everybody else. We'll go through practices, we evaluate how everybody feels, and then we'll make decisions. And that's why we have a great medical staff, performance staff, and we'll work all together as a unit. So excited to see Ben on the court from day one.”
It appears the Nets are going by the book with Simmons. They are aware of the promising offseason he had, but they must see how he looks in training camp before deciding what his role will be for the regular season's start.
Nets fans could seen an unprecedented version of Simmons
Ben Simmons is entering a crucial year in 2024-25. He will be on the final year of his five-year, $177 million contract he signed with the Sixers in 2019. Simmons has played just 57 games during his two seasons with the Nets due to recurring back ailments. Moreover, when he has been available, his production has not been up to what he is capable of.
Simmons has not averaged more than 6.9 points per game since he has been with Brooklyn. Unfortunately, Simmons' injury woes have largely hampered his play. Nevertheless, he looks healthy and ready to revitalize himself. Simmons must answer two crucial questions at the start of the season about his health and offensive assertiveness.
With a promising team around him and a rejuvenated body and mind, Simmons can rise to heights Nets fan have never seen during the 2024-25 season. He looks to fill the borough with more excitement in late October.