Ben Simmons is embracing a new opportunity with the Nets.
Ben Simmons is ready for a new start with the Brooklyn Nets.
“I’m looking forward to getting back on the floor and building something great here,” Simmons said Tuesday in his introductory news conference with the team.
Simmons said there is no date for his return to action, but he said he is “definitely starting to ramp it up” in terms of closing in on a return. Simmons and his old team, the Philadelphia 76ers, will host the Nets on March 10 (7:30 ET, TNT). He told reporters Tuesday he is hoping he can play in that game.
The 76ers sent Simmons, the disgruntled one-time franchise cornerstone, along with guard Seth Curry and center Andre Drummond to the Nets in a deal last week for James Harden. The Sixers also got Paul Millsap and the Nets get a 2022 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick.
In terms of leaving the 76ers, Simmons said “it was a personal thing with me” that made him unwilling to play again for Philadelphia. He told reporters Tuesday that his issues came before the 2021 playoffs and the incidents therein that many attributed to his fallout with the team.
Simmons o n Philly: “It wasn’t a personal thing towards any player or coach, it was just me getting to where I needed to be…I’m looking forward to what’s to come.
Said it got to a place ‘where it wasn’t good for me mentally” https://t.co/xfZqV9BcDO
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 15, 2022
“Wasn’t any personal thing about any owner, player or coach,” Nets forward Ben Simmons said.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 15, 2022
Ben Simmons says “it was a personal thing with me” that made him unwilling to play in Philly before the trade to Brooklyn – not fan, team or media comments during or after playoffs. Says his issues preceded the playoffs. Says he’s not yet ready to play but is ramping up.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) February 15, 2022
Harden has been ruled out through the All-Star break because of a left hamstring injury. He was replaced in the All-Star Game — where he was a member of Team LeBron (Embiid is on Team Durant) — by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen.
Simmons did not play this season for the Sixers in the wake of a trade demand centered largely around hurt feelings coming off last season’s playoff loss. Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists over four seasons with Philadelphia, which drafted him out of LSU, where he played only one season.
His defining moment as a Sixer came when he passed up a wide-open dunk against Atlanta in the second round of last year’s playoffs that would have tied the game late in Game 7.
In the building 👀 pic.twitter.com/KCpan6vzfj
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 14, 2022
The end of Simmons’ time in Philly came down to this: He was stung by comments made by coach Doc Rivers and star center Joel Embiid in the aftermath of the Game 7 loss and how he shouldered the blame for the Sixers’ playoff woes.
Embiid seemed to get a parting shot off on about Simmons, when he said of his ex-teammate on Feb. 11: “It’s unfortunate winning was not the biggest factor. It’s unfortunate that for him having his own team and, I guess, being a star was more his priorities.”
Simmons said Tuesday he spoke with Sixers GM Elton Brand, coach Doc Rivers and teammate Tobias Harris after he was dealt, but did not speak with Embiid.
After the trade, Simmons said he spoke to Elton Brand, Doc Rivers and Tobias Harris:
“They were happy for me to get back on the floor and get to a different situation.”
Asked if he spoke to Joel Embiid:
“No, I did not” https://t.co/xfZqV9BcDO
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 15, 2022
Simmons’ refusal to shoot beyond 15 feet — he is a 5-of-34 career 3-point shooter — and his postseason failures at the free-throw line have seemingly outweighed his playmaking ability and a spot last season on the All-Defensive first team.
He made a surprise return to the Sixers shortly before the season opened but was promptly kicked out of practice and suspended for one game. The punishment didn’t matter; the No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft had no intention of ever playing. Simmons later cited mental health concerns.
He entered this season with four years and $147 million left on his max contract. Now, he’ll get a fresh start with a team that hopes to accentuate his strengths.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.