The Brooklyn Nets may not have the talent they used to, but they retain some of the most serviceable young players in the NBA going into the 2024-25 season. The clear top contributors are fourth-year guard Cam Thomas and sixth-year center Nic Claxton. However, there remains one player who fans and analysts might see as an unlikely star: Ben Simmons.
Nets fans already know the narrative that has followed Simmons since he was traded to the borough from the Philadelphia 76ers in February of 2022. He has played a combined total of just 57 games in his two years with the Nets, and his back ailments have caused seasonal shutdowns for two consecutive campaigns.
It seems like every time Simmons regains his health, he experiences a setback that prevents him from achieving his full potential on the court. Thankfully, Simmons has rehabbed and gotten stronger for 2024-25, and everyone hopes he stays injury-free in what could be his final year with the Nets.
It is hard to see things playing out differently for Simmons in his third season in Brooklyn, but have faith. The upcoming year will be different.
Simmons is more serious than ever, and it will lead to a break out
It is not just the fact that Simmons had a strong offseason and entered preseason injury-free that will signal his growth in 2024-25, but his resolve.
The seventh-year forward is aware of the noise that surrounds him, fans who propose that he is "robbing" the Nets and that he will "rob" the next team he joins. But Simmons is determined to empty the well. He wants to help the young Nets develop and play basketball to the best of his ability for as long as he can. He cannot change the past or control the type of contract he gets in the future.
So until his time in the borough is up, Simmons is going to put his best effort forth. He comes off a 2023-24 season with averages of 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 23.9 minutes. Simmons has looked assertive in preseason and put forth an 11-point, five-assist performance against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 14.
Jordi Fernandez has used Simmons as a center in place of the injured Nic Claxton, but the forward's playmaking, inside scoring, and defensive abilities should remain on full display. It would not be surprising to see Simmons' average double-digit figures in points, rebounds, or assists during his new campaign.
Nets fans could see a version of Ben Simmons that has not been reached in years, and the ascent will exciting to watch.