The Nets have ruled Ben Simmons out for the remainder of the season, announcing today (via Twitter) that he’ll be shut down as he consults with specialists and considers treatment options for the nerve impingement in his lower back.
“Simmons, along with his representatives and Nets medical personnel, are currently in discussions with numerous experts to determine the course of action that will provide him with the best opportunity for long-term sustainable health,” the team said in its statement.
Simmons will finish the 2023/24 season having appeared in just 15 games. He averaged 6.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 7.9 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per contest.
It’s the third straight season in which Simmons’ availability and production has been extremely limited due to his back issues.
Following his holdout in 2021/22 and the trade that sent from Philadelphia to Brooklyn, the former No. 1 overall pick was unable to suit up for the Nets that season due to back pain and eventually underwent a microdiscectomy in the spring of 2022 in order to relieve the pain from a herniated disc.
Simmons returned in 2022/23 and appeared in 42 games for Brooklyn, but admitted later that he hadn’t fully recovered from the procedure on his back and was in pain for much of the season. Coming into ’23/24, he was optimistic about his health, indicating last August that he was eager to “come back and dominate.”
However, the nerve impingement in his back cost Simmons nearly three months early in the season and remained a problem even after he returned in January. Agent Bernie Lee spoke earlier this week about his efforts to find the right treatment to get his client past this lingering injury.
“We continue to try and find non-surgical options to allow Ben to move forward on a permanent basis and that is where this is my responsibility and I am (the) one to blame,” Lee said. “When I began working with Ben I made a commitment to him that I would do everything I could to find the right answers and specialists for him to work with (in order) to move forward from the issues he has been having. Clearly it hasn’t happened, and that’s my responsibility.
“… Come the offseason, we’re going to implement some processes and outside input that’ll allow him to finally move forward from this ongoing issue and resume his career at the levels he’s established prior to being injured.”
A three-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, Simmons is still just 27 years old, so if he can get healthy, he still has the potential to be one of the NBA’s better play-makers and defenders. However, physical and mental health issues have derailed his career since 2020/21 and have made his maximum-salary contract a cumbersome asset on Brooklyn’s books.
Simmons will be entering the final year of his current deal in 2024/25. He’s on track to earn $40,338,144 before becoming eligible for unrestricted free agency.
Expensive table butter.
He’s been out for 4 years
Should never see more than minimum after this contract.
Hopefully he never sees the NBA after this.
Yeah I would be shocked if this isn’t his last contract.
Don’t be, I’m guessing he’ll find a team that will take a chance on him (minimum).
Really really depends. He definitely made enemies with his trade demands in front offices/ his health
Forget his other issues; with recurring back injuries alone he’s not worth more than that.
The man might be injured but there’s been lots of whispers he doesn’t want to play basketball anymore. Sometimes you have to suck it up with a little bit of pain.
Shocking. I am flabbergasted. Bamboozled. Hoodwinked by the absolute professionalism and strength of- okay, no, we all saw this coming.
It’s a shame, really. I think Simmons could flourish in a Draymond-esque role or as a Center, but if you’re afraid to score, and you can’t stay on the floor, you can’t play.
Never liked this bum. Peace out and good riddance. Give the roster spot in the league to someone who actually cares.
Even tho harden didn’t win a title in Philly, them getting him for this turd could be the biggest heist in nba history.
What a waste of talent. I doubt he’ll fulfill his original promise.
I obviously don’t have access to sports doctors, but I’ve had back problems all my life (hit by a car when I was 19). I’ve seen a myriad of medical professionals; the only universal I’ve gotten is that “once a back is injured, it NEVER gets back to 100%.” I’ve gotten to “functional and can do most things without pain,” but never to 100%… 50 years and counting…
Simmons has made a boatload of cash mostly based on potential, and I feel FAR less sorry for him than for many. The least I can give, however, is understanding losing his heart for a profession which he may view as having ruined his body. Of course, he knew the risks and reaped the rewards. Lousy situation for everyone concerned, including the organizations paying him.
Harsh to say, but you may be giving Simmons too much credit… And he got paid big time so God bless and good luck. Next up, Zion followed by Kyrie…
I had a microdiscectomy two weeks ago to deal with a nerve impingement. Best decision I’ve ever made. Had been living with sciatica and a numb foot for about 6 months. As soon as I woke up from the surgery I could tell things were already better. The sciatica and numbness still comes and goes, but it’s still healing and it’s way better than it was. I recommend this surgery to anyone dealing with this. Simmons is still softer than baby poop though.
Honestly as much flack as he gets, nerve impingement is terrible and debilitating. Personally have been dealing with it for almost a year and I can’t hoop because of it. Maybe if it ever gets resolved he’ll come back to some resemblance of his past play. Still won’t be able to shoot of course but he can just play point center
He’s a total bum and has practically stolen millions from the Sixers and Nets. For years he refused to work on his shooting, and he refused to honor his contract when he got called out for it. He then faked a mental illness in an attempt to still be paid, but refused to share medical info with the team he expected to pay him for not showing up to work. When he finally got traded he’s still unavailable because he’s constantly hurt (even when he’s not playing). He’s done all these things while being paid over $30 million a year.
Bad behavior should not be rewarded. He should never receive another NBA contract. He doesn’t deserve to be in the league.
When I saw the headline, I burst out laughing.
His career earnings by the end of next season will be over $200 million.
In what other career could you get away with that.
Since he had that meltdown moment vs the Hawks he’s played 57 games total. Dude is committing fraud on the NBA.
No spine so I don’t understand how he has back problems?
OMG THIS IS SUCH A SURPRISE!
…can we please just send him somewhere else and pretend his contract doesn’t exist? Please?
Look how many comments for a guy who has played like 3 games in 3 years, who everyone has known to be injured. Even the jokes are old. And still people are entranced.
Tells you all you need to know…smdh
I did not like him as soon as he shut down and said he wouldn’t play when he was projected as a top lottery pick. That showed who he is and it is not someone with the mental makeup for a team sport. Injuries or not, he has never been a team player.
However, he felt exploited and this may have soured his feelings about the game:
link to sports.yahoo.com
Nonetheless, he has in essence exploited the system to his own benefit at this point, so he should feel vindicated. He is kind of a jerk.
Someone needs to send him Dr. Sarno’s books.
Total waste of talent.
Ben Simmons hates working and wants to get paid for doing nothing. 57 games over 3 seasons.
So lazy he can’t even shoot a proper free throw or jumpshot.
He is a complete Dumpster Fire
He is a tool box without any tools
Ben “Salvatore Bonpensiero” Simmons
Ben Simmons got paid to be a distraction by the rich so they can keep this shameful economic structure going…
Judging by this thread he was worth every penny…
Can’t wait for his agent to feed us some variation of “he’s going to come back stronger, hungrier, and more focused than ever”…
Of course they did! ♂️♂️