Report: Nets meet with Ben Simmons, agent Rich Paul to discuss future
The Ben Simmons saga can't stop and won't stop, no matter how much Brooklyn Nets fans want it all to go away.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Simmons and his agent Rich Paul met with Nets general manager Sean Marks on Monday to discuss his overall situation. Reportedly, Simmons said he wants to play for the Nets, and the Nets believe Simmons has been doing both physical and mental work to get back onto the court.
ESPN Sources: Ben Simmons and CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul met with GM Sean Marks and Nets leadership today to discuss how they’ll continue to work through the physical and mental hurdles needed to get Simmons back on the court.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 25, 2022
Simmons reiterated desire to play for Nets and sides talked on how they’ll work together to try and get there. Both groups believe Simmons had two good weeks of physical ramp-up thru Sunday, but ultimately realized there are still mental and physical hurdles that need addressing.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 25, 2022
The Nets believe Simmons has been addressing both mental and physical areas in recent months, and recognize there’s more work to do. Nets meet Celtics in Game 4 tonight in Brooklyn, trailing series 3-0.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 25, 2022
The events of the last few days made this conversation necessary. The Nets listed Simmons as out for Monday's Game 4 following weeks of hyped-up reports that Simmons would make his debut during the playoffs, specifically Game 4. Simmons woke up Sunday with back soreness, which nixed his playoff debut.
Second verse, same as the first?
Simmons hasn't played in a single game this year due to a combination of factors: a recurring back injury, his mental readiness and his reported vow to never play another game for the Philadelphia 76ers ever again. Simmons spent the entire season up to February not playing for the Sixers, and then he was traded to the Nets for James Harden, who despite having some offensive issues has played numerous games this season for both the Nets and Sixers.
If you're saying to yourself, "hey, this seems familiar," that's because it's happened before, only with the Sixers. Simmons and Paul reportedly had several meetings with the Sixers about his physical and mental readiness to play, all of which culminated in the Sixers fining him for every single game he missed and eventually trading him.
Those meetings between Simmons/Paul and the Sixers led to both sides becoming pretty antagonistic toward each other. Though Simmons and Paul having a meeting with Nets brass definitely sounds like a repeat of what happened earlier this season, it appears that both sides are trying to keep the relationship friendly and productive as they figure out what path to take to get Simmons ready to play in Brooklyn next season.
