Ben Simmons, point guard for the Brooklyn Nets, has been cleared to fully participate in the team’s training camp starting on October 1st. Simmons, who has been dealing with back injuries, played only 15 games last season and a total of 57 games in his two-and-a-half years with the team. Despite his limited playing time, Simmons has averaged 6.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game during his tenure with the Nets.
Simmons’ trainer, Chris Brickley, has praised the point guard’s shooting progress this offseason, sparking excitement among fans and analysts. However, there have been previous instances of Simmons looking impressive in workouts but not translating that progress into on-court performance during the regular season. The Nets, who traded away key player Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for future draft picks, are in a rebuilding phase after finishing with a disappointing 32-50 record and the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference.
With Simmons taking up a significant portion of the team’s salary cap space and potentially missing a significant number of games, the Nets may struggle in the upcoming season. Simmons is in the final year of a lucrative contract he signed while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, which could complicate the team’s financial situation. The Nets may opt to move Simmons midseason to free up salary cap space, but that would likely involve taking on longer-term contracts in return.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Simmons and the team’s rebuilding phase, the Nets roster still boasts talented young players to watch, including guard Cam Thomas and center Nic Claxton. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Jordi Fernández Torres, the team will look to develop its young talent and compete in the loaded Eastern Conference. The 2025 NBA Draft class is expected to be strong, with top prospects like Cooper Flagg, Nolan Traore, and Dylan Harper potentially making an impact in the league.
As the NBA season approaches, the focus will be on how Simmons performs after recovering from his back injury and whether he can live up to expectations as a key player for the Nets. Fans will be watching closely to see if Simmons can contribute to the team’s success and help them improve on their previous season’s performance. Stay tuned to Newsweek Sports for the latest updates on the NBA and the Brooklyn Nets as they gear up for the upcoming season.
