The Brooklyn Nets provided an update on Ben Simmons:
"Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons underwent a successful microscopic partial discectomy earlier today to alleviate the nerve impingement in his lower back. The procedure was performed by Dr. Timur Urakov, in consultation with Dr. Barth Green, at UHealth Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Simmons is expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp next season."
In 15 games this season, Simmons recorded averages of 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 23.9 minutes per contest.
Simmons' career has torpedoed since leaving Philadelphia where he was a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA first-team defender averaging 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game.
Since losing Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawkins on June 20th, 2021 in the Eastern Conference semifinals as a Sixer—and infamously passing up an open dunk late in the game—Simmons has played a total of just 57 games since over the next three seasons.
Simmons, 27, signed a five-year max contract worth $177 million in July of 2019 with the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons was fined $1.4 million in October of 2021 for refusing to participate in preseason games and practices and was then traded to the Nets in February of 2022 for James Harden.
Simmons has a base salary of $37.9 million in 2023-24 and a base salary of $40.4 million in 2024-25 before his guaranteed contract expires.