Ben Simmons Cleared for Nets Training Camp as Brooklyn Looks Toward Rebuild
Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons is officially back. His agent, Bernie Lee, informed NBA insider Chris Haynes that Simmons, a three-time All-Star, has fully recovered from his back injury and is ready to join the team for the start of training camp on October 1st. “Ben is fully cleared and is a full participant for the start of camp. He is excited to get started,” said Lee.
Simmons, 28, Brooklyn’s highest-paid player, appeared in only 15 games (12 starts) last season. Since joining the Nets two and a half years ago, he has played just 57 games, averaging 6.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game—far below his previous All-Star form. Fans are once again buzzing about Simmons after trainer Chris Brickley praised the former All-NBA player’s shooting progress this offseason. However, given Simmons’ history of off-season hype failing to translate into regular-season improvement, skepticism lingers.
The Nets are entering a rebuilding phase after trading away their best player, Mikal Bridges, last season. Brooklyn finished 32-50, missing the playoffs and landing the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference. With next summer’s draft class loaded with talent, including Duke’s Cooper Flagg and French point guard Nolan Traore, the Nets could be eyeing a deep rebuild.
Simmons’ $40.3 million salary this season and his history of limited availability could contribute to Brooklyn’s strategy of remaining competitive while setting up for the future. Alternatively, the Nets might explore trading him midseason, though doing so could mean taking on longer contracts. With a roster featuring intriguing young talents like Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton, first-year head coach Jordi Fernández Torres will look to make the most of this transitional year for the franchise.