The Brooklyn Nets are shutting down guard Ben Simmons for the remainder of the season, coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned Tuesday.
“Ben is not going to be becoming a member of us the remainder of the 12 months and thru the playoffs,” Vaughn mentioned after apply. “After consulting with our docs, a number of specialists, he is simply going to start a rehab program. Our docs and the specialists really feel and suppose that he’ll have a full restoration in order that begins now.”
Simmons hasn’t performed because the Nets’ last recreation earlier than the All-Star break final month due to a nerve problem in his again. He has missed a complete of 33 video games this season with knee and again accidents. As of now, Vaughn mentioned the Nets do not anticipate Simmons to wish one other surgical procedure this summer time.
“That isn’t in sight,” Vaughn mentioned. “That is the advice proper now.”
Simmons didn’t play final season as he waited for a commerce from the Philadelphia 76ers, however then underwent again surgical procedure final summer time after not having the ability to return to play following the deal that despatched him to the Nets simply earlier than the February 2022 deadline.
In his return to the court docket this season, Simmons has seen a steep decline from his days as an All-Star with the Philadelphia 76ers, posting profession lows in minutes (26.3), factors (6.9), rebounds (6.3), assists (6.1) and free throw share (43.9).
Vaughn remained outwardly hopeful when requested if he thought Simmons might nonetheless be a high-level participant within the league.
“That is our purpose,” Vaughn mentioned. “And total you simply take into consideration, he is 6-10, athletic, what he can do and produce to our crew, how he may also help our group on each ends of the ground. We need to be concerned in that. We need to see that. I need to coach Ben and I would like to have the ability to push Ben to get again to all-defensive crew and affect our crew on each ends of the ground. In order that’s undoubtedly the purpose going ahead.”
Simmons, 26, has one other two years remaining on his contract, paying him $37.8 million in 2023-24 and $40.3 million in 2024-25.
Nets basic supervisor Sean Marks mentioned the group would proceed to be there for Simmons as he offers with this newest setback.
“Identical factor we have carried out prior to now, is help him,” Marks advised ESPN. “It is a younger man that has been via a really traumatic and fairly arduous final couple years right here. And this isn’t information that he needs to listen to. He did not need specialists telling him, ‘Hey look, this is the most effective factor for you.’ The excellent news, they had been in unison of their plan for a full restoration. I labored exhausting with these docs, all of the totally different specialists in addition to Bernie Lee, his new agent, to give you a plan that is hopefully going to get him again, and again to being the Ben we have all seen.”
After buying and selling away Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving simply earlier than the February deadline and shifting ahead with swingman Mikal Bridges as the brand new face of the crew, Marks continues to be holding out hope that Simmons will have the ability to contribute to the brand new group sooner or later sooner or later.
“I do really feel for him as a result of I do know he needs to be out right here,” Marks mentioned. “I do know he needs to be a part of this crew. No person likes being advised ‘You did not quantity to what it’s best to have, and it should not be this, it’s best to have carried out this, and so forth’ I hope he makes use of all of this as no matter you need to name it, chalkboard fodder for motivation, and assault [his rehab]. However I believe he would match with these guys we have and he suits for a number of causes. So we hope that he is again — and that he is wholesome, able to go.”
The Nets (40-35) head into Tuesday evening’s video games tied for sixth place within the Jap Convention with the Miami Warmth.