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NBA rumors: Embiid team switch, Mavs eyeing trade, Simmons back

By Christopher Kline

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Ben Simmons (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Ben Simmons (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

NBA Rumors: Ben Simmons could take over as Nets starting point guard

Ben Simmons finished last season coming off the bench before the Brooklyn Nets shut him down entirely due to back issues. Health, both mental and physical, has been a great source of struggle for Ben Simmons since he demanded a trade out of Philadelphia in the summer of 2021.

With three All-Star teams, one All-NBA team, and two All-Defensive teams on his résumé, Simmons is one of the most accomplished 27-year-olds in the NBA. If your first experience with Simmons was last season, however, you’d be under the impression that he’s a bench warmer making max money.

Simmons looked completely passive in his first “full” season with the Nets, averaging 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 26.3 minutes per game. He only appeared in 42 games (33 starts) and was benched down the stretch before injuries rendered him completely unplayable.

A lightning rod for discourse ever since his trade demand, the exact source of Simmons’ struggles is up for debate. Some pin it entirely on the mental side of the game after his complete meltdown in the Sixers’ 2021 postseason collapse. Others cite the very tangible problems with his knee and back, which the Nets couldn’t stave off last season.

Now, Simmons is 100 percent healthy, per SNY’s Ian Begley. Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, said the point guard will be ready for day one of Nets training camp. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears took it one step further with his source, who said the expectation is that Simmons will resume his duties as Brooklyn’s primary ball-handler next season:

"“I would say he’s in the final stage of prep for the season and he has passed every benchmark and is as healthy as he has ever been since his last year in Philly. Brooklyn has been incredibly supportive and the plan is for him to be the Nets’ point guard and primary ballhandler this coming season. The expectation is he will fully resume his career at the level he has [played at] prior to leaving Philadelphia.” (h/t CBS Sports)"