Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons has successfully undergone season-ending surgery to alleviate the nerve impingement in his lower back. Following the procedure, a microscopic partial discectomy, Simmons is expected to make a full recovery and be ready in time for training camp.
Ben Simmons Medical Update:
Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons underwent a successful microscopic partial discectomy earlier today to alleviate the nerve impingement in his lower back. The procedure was performed by Dr. Timur Urakov, in consultation with Dr. Barth Green, at…
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 14, 2024
Ben Simmons Gets Medical Update Ahead of Pivotal Offseason
Excluding seasons in which Simmons sat out entirely, the former No. 1 pick played a career-low 15 games (12 starts) in 2023-24. However, where Simmons had disappointed with his lack of aggressiveness in 2022-23, he was more engaged as a scorer offensively this season. He even unleashed a couple of pretty post fadeaways, inspiring confidence that he had finally eased up on his notorious reluctance to take jump shots.
As a two-way playmaker, facilitating and guarding players at multiple positions, he continued to excel. Though not necessarily exerting a lot of energy in doing either, his basketball IQ and size at 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds helped him be effective regardless.
Now, as the Nets approach the 2024 offseason, they’ll have to make serious decisions regarding Simmons.
The Australian floor general will be on the final season of a gigantic contract next season, making him a potential asset in a blockbuster offseason trade. To that point, with Mikal Bridges as a foundational piece, the Nets will be looking for star talent to place around him in their attempts to build another championship contender.
Having acquired stars such as Deron Williams, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving since relocating to Brooklyn, the Nets are capable of making such a deal. However, there does remain a remote possibility that the Nets hold onto Simmons at least up until next season’s trade deadline, as he may enhance his trade value by then.
In any case, Simmons now looks more expendable than ever.
Ben Simmons’ Future Outlook
For Simmons, this offseason could be his last opportunity to prove himself.
Getting healthy, of course, will be the first priority. Getting back on the court will be next. Nonetheless, if he were to have another season that mirrored these last three, he would have become so unreliable that no team would confidently build a rotation that featured him in a prominent role.
Simmons wouldn’t be the first or last player to experience a rapid decline in their trajectory due to an injury. He was among the best at the beginning of his career. A surprisingly adept ball-handler with optimal fluidity and athleticism, he was dominant on the way to rim. That a bad back has limited him so thoroughly is unfortunate.
Nonetheless, the reality of the situation is what is what it is.
An in-season injury and/or pain management plan will likely be designed for Simmons from here on out, if it hasn’t been already. Furthermore, in preserving himself, it might be time for Simmons to break the yoke by taking more jumpers. While he’s always been more of a finesse player, he’ll need to lean into that more than ever.
