A LITTLE LATE
Simmons reportedly cleared to begin rehab just as Nets prepare to go home
Ben Simmons has been medically cleared to begin rehab following a microscopic partial discectomy he underwent in March to alleviate the pinched nerve in his lower back, according to reports.
The Nets announced back in March that Simmons is expected to make a full recovery ahead of training camp in the fall. It was the 27-year-olds second surgery since being traded to Brooklyn in 2022. The procedure was performed at UHealth Jackson Memorial Medical Center in Miami.
“I haven’t heard too much about [Ben] since his surgery,” Mikal Bridges said earlier in the month. “I think he’s just getting healthy in Miami, just getting right. I don’t know what surgery is like for real but he’s probably relaxing, making sure his body is OK.”
Simmons appeared in just 15 games this season and 57 total since being acquired by the Nets three years ago. He was sidelined indefinitely on March 7. The three-time All-Star averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists this season in limited action. He missed 38 straight games from Nov. 8 to Jan. 27 because of his lower back issues.
The 6-10 guard is owed a guaranteed $40.3 million on an expiring contract next season, which has led to some speculation that Brooklyn may decide to move him in the near future to clear cap space.
However, a lot could change between now and the start of the regular season.
Because of Simmons’ injuries, he has also been left off Australia’s preliminary 22-man roster for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
“I just pray he can come back healthy,” interim head coach Kevin Ollie said. “I want him to have faith that he can come back and be the Ben Simmons we know he can be. And we can’t speculate on what’s going to happen in the future or regret what happened in the past. The only thing we can stay in is now.”