As the Brooklyn Nets prepare to kick off their training camp on Tuesday, the anticipation surrounding the team’s future is palpable. The camp will run until the season opener on October 23, but one headline is destined to overshadow all others: the health of Ben Simmons.
It’s telling that Simmons’ wellbeing is not merely a subplot but rather the central narrative as the Nets embark on a rebuilding journey. His past few seasons have been marred by injuries—Simmons has missed 189 of 246 games over the past three years, including all eight of Brooklyn’s playoff games last season due to a lingering back issue. This extensive time away from the court raises legitimate concerns about his capacity to remain injury-free as the new season unfolds.
Simmons has been cleared to participate fully in training camp, and reports indicate he has performed admirably in recent pickup games. Nets General Manager Sean Marks expressed optimism about Simmons’ return, stating, “From what we’ve seen so far with Ben, he will be a full go in camp. This is a big year for him, just like it is for the rest of us.” The stakes are high—not just for the team, but for Simmons personally, as he prepares to enter unrestricted free agency next summer.
In the eyes of both fans and analysts, this season is pivotal for Simmons. The Nets are in a transitional phase, with a new coach, Jordi Fernandez, at the helm, and many believe Simmons is key to how the team evolves. Last season, he averaged just 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 23.9 minutes per game, but his presence on the court had a significant impact: Brooklyn boasted a record of 31-26 with him in the lineup compared to a dismal 46-61 when he sat out. This stark contrast suggests that a healthy Simmons could propel the Nets to a much higher level of performance.
Fernandez has already acknowledged the importance of Simmons’ health, emphasizing, “Ben is a very good player. And Ben being healthy, he can rebound, push, do all that stuff that can help us create really good shots.” Simmons’ ability to push the pace and facilitate offense could be invaluable for the Nets, especially given his unique skill set. At 6’10”, he’s not only a versatile playmaker but also a physical force who can penetrate defenses and create opportunities for his teammates.
However, the challenge remains: how to effectively integrate Simmons into a lineup that includes non-shooting center Nic Claxton. The synergy between players will be crucial, and Fernandez will need to devise strategies that maximize floor spacing while ensuring Simmons can still operate effectively. As he noted, the focus on health will remain paramount: “That will be the story of this preseason, even before it’s the goal of the regular season.”
Simmons’ journey back to the court has not been without its struggles. After undergoing a season-ending microscopic partial discectomy in March—a procedure that marked his second back surgery in just three years—his path to recovery has been closely monitored. The Nets have invested considerable resources into Simmons’ rehabilitation, with Fernandez spending time with him in Miami during his recovery process.
As the camp commences, the team is keenly aware of the high expectations surrounding Simmons. With the Nets poised for a rebuilding year, the onus is on him not just to stay healthy, but to thrive in this new chapter. For Simmons, this is not merely about basketball; it’s a critical juncture in his career, one that could determine whether he secures a lucrative new contract or faces a significant pay cut as an unrestricted free agent next summer.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Simmons. Will he be able to shake off the injury woes that have plagued him? Can he regain the form that once made him an All-Star? These questions loom large as the Nets embark on a season filled with uncertainty, where the health of one player could dictate the fate of the entire franchise. As the training camp unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be holding their breath, hoping for a narrative of resilience, recovery, and redemption.