Nets GM Details Unique Opinion on Ben Simmons’s Future

Brooklyn remains hopeful that the former No. 1 pick has ’not reached his prime’ yet.

Nets GM Sean Marks is remaining optimistic when it comes to the future of Ben Simmons. 

Speaking to reporters after Brooklyn’s Summer League win over the Knicks on Sunday, Marks was asked if he believes Simmons will ever return to his All-Star form displayed early in his career.

Marks indicated that he’s hopeful Simmons can return to past form, citing the former No. 1 pick’s age and health.

“Reasonably, the hope is that he returns to that level of play,” said Marks of Simmons. “If he was 35 years old, I wouldn’t honestly be able to tell you that. But knowing that he’s mid-20s and he has still, hopefully, not reached his prime, we’re going to make sure he can get back out there and get back to that form. And hopefully, we see his game even evolve past that. But health is going to be key for him.”

Back injuries have derailed the once-promising career of Simmons. Following his trade from the 76ers to Brooklyn, the 26-year-old featured in just 42 games for the Nets before being shut down for the remainder of the season due to an impinged nerve in his back. Prior to that, he missed the entire 2021–22 season after undergoing surgery on a herniated disk in his back.

The Nets are continuing to monitor Simmons’s progress as he recovers from his latest injury, though Marks indicated the three-time All-Star had not begun participating in 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 drills as of yet.