Ben Simmons won’t play again for the Nets this season.
It opens up questions of whether he’ll play for them again at all.
Brooklyn announced that the oft-injured guard will remain out for the remainder of the campaign while he consults with specialists and explores treatment options for the nerve impingement in his lower back.
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Simmons, along with agent Bernard Lee and Nets medical personnel, are currently in discussions with numerous experts to determine the course of action that will provide him with the best opportunity for long-term sustainable health, the team said in a statement Thursday morning.Just days ago, interim coach Kevin Ollie had suggested Simmons could be back at any point.
“He’s still day-to-day, he’s still on the court, and hopefully we can get him back soon and get him ready for this playoff push that we have in March and April,” Ollie said.Now even that hope is gone.
Simmons has missed 47 games this season and after he misses the next 20, he will have played in just an absurd 57 of 191 total games since the Nets acquired him at the 2022 trade deadline.
Over those three seasons, Simmons has made $US103.3 million ($A155m), meaning he has made an outrageous $1.82 million per game played.
With a $US40 million ($A60m) expiring salary next season, the Nets could attempt to trade him this summer or possibly even buy him out.