What did Brooklyn Nets’ Ben Simmons’ agent say about his injury?
With the Australian once again on the injury report, it’s hard not to question why he has spent so much time there. Now, we may learn why.
Once again, the Nets’ star is back on the injury report and what’s more, is that it’s due to the very same injury that saw him miss more than two months earlier this season i.e. nerve impingement in his back. To be clear, the point guard has only played in 57 of a possible 178 games since his trade to Brooklyn in 2022.
What’s going on with Ben Simmons?
While much has been made of Ben Simmons’ mental struggles, the reality is that the 27-year-old point guard has been able to stay physically fit for any reasonable stretch of time. If we think back to his stand-off with the 76ers prior to his trade, he was unable to play even then due to back problems such that he ended up missing the entire 2021-22 season. Last season was no better, as Simmons was only able to feature in a total of 42 games. this of course brings us to the present campaign in which he has only played in 15 games. Of course, that has not stopped Simmons from pocketing a cool $38 million. Indeed, the former 76ers star is looking at another $40 million next year which will see his five-year, $170 million extension come to an end. Needless to say, it’s hard not to look at Simmons as a failed investment.
Ben Simmons’ agent takes the blame
It might surprise you, but it’s true. Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, has now stepped into the fray and has actually taken the blame for his client’s performance, or rather lack thereof. Speaking in a recent interview, Lee explained that he believes he’s failed his client.
“It is a continuation of the same injury that he has dealt with all year,” Lee told SNY. “...We are trying to get clearer answers as to how to get him out of the reactive cycle he’s in. We continue to try and find non-surgical options to allow Ben to move forward on a permanent basis and that is where this is my responsibility and I am [the] one to blame. When I began working with Ben I made a commitment to him that I would do everything I could to find the right answers and specialists for him to work with [in order] to move forward from the issues he has been having. Clearly, it hasn’t happened and that’s my responsibility.”
“In the year I have worked with Ben he has taken less than seven days off. In my almost 20 years doing this, [it] isn’t something I’ve seen. So the thought that he is doing everything asked of him but not getting the results is something that in no way shape or form sits right with me and I am committed to finding him the right people and the right answers and we will. ...Come the offseason, we’re going to implement some processes and outside input that’ll allow him to finally move forward from this ongoing issue and resume his career at the levels he’s established prior to being injured,” Lee said.
As for the Nets themselves, interim coach Kevin Ollie confirmed that Simmons is now regarded as day-to-day, saying “Hopefully we can get him back soon.” On the other hand, one has to consider the idea that Lee’s comments suggest that we may not see Simmons back to his best for some time yet. Consider for a moment that the agent directly referred to the coming offseason as an opportunity to help Simmons return to fitness. Nonetheless, here we are. If there is one takeaway from all of this, it’s likely that we’ve got an agent who is trying to preserve the market value of his client ahead of the end of his contract. With Simmons’ deal up in the summer of 2025 and more minutes spent off the court than on it, that’s understandable.