Ben Simmons may not be suiting up for the Brooklyn Nets in Game 4 Monday night, but the All-Star point guard apparently does want to get back on the court eventually.
Simmons and CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul met with Nets GM Sean Marks and others on Monday to discuss how the 25-year-old can continue to work through his physical and mental hurdles to get back on the court, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
In this meeting, Simmons apparently reiterated his desire to play for the Nets and how they can get to that point.
Simmons, who has not played since June 20 of last season, had been preparing to return to the court in the postseason and was expected to return in Monday’s Game 4 but was officially ruled out on Sunday, citing back soreness he experienced that morning.
The former first overall pick was ripped by many across the basketball community on Sunday following news he was unable to play, although many fans were not surprised.
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Both Simmons’ camp and the Nets believed he had two good weeks of physical ramp-up to get him ready before realizing there were still mental and physical issue to address.
Simmons has yet to play a game for the Nets since Brooklyn traded for him in February following his own trade request from the 76ers last summer.
He cited mental health issues and a back injury as reasons why he was unable to play for the Sixers while being disgruntled, he was still on the roster.
Per Wojnarowski, the Nets believed Simmons had been addressing both the mental and physical areas since acquiring him but say there is more work to do.
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