Why Ben Simmons and Brooklyn Nets may still have a future together despite NBA dramas

What will Ben Simmons be doing this NBA off-season? How did things get to this point? And where do he and the Nets go from here? The New York Post’s BRIAN LEWIS examines the big questions.

Ben Simmons’ time with the Brooklyn Nets has been tumultuous and he is yet to play for his new NBA team. Picture: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

With the Nets announcing that Ben Simmons underwent successful back surgery this week — microdiscectomy surgery Thursday at Cedars-Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital in Los Angeles, to be specific — it begs the question of where things stand now with Brooklyn and their injured young star?

What will Simmons be doing this summer? How did things get to this point? And where do he and the Nets go from here?

NY Post put together a complete timeline to chronicle what’s gone on and what’s next for Simmons, from how he ended up moving from Philadelphia to Brooklyn in the first place to the road he’ll have to travel to make his Nets debut.

The past

June 20: This was the last time Simmons actually played, when he struggled in Philadelphia’s second-round loss to Atlanta. The spring had already brought its share of complications for Simmons, who was navigating some family drama involving his sister and half brother back in Australia, of which the 76ers were aware. Four days later, agent Rich Paul started talks with the team about his future.

Sept. 25: Simmons decides not to report for the start of Philadelphia’s upcoming training camp, and reveals he has no intention of ever playing for the 76ers again.

Oct. 1: Philadelphia doesn’t pay Simmons the quarter of his contract ($8.25 million) that he was owed. The 76ers put the money into an escrow account. Simmons continues to hold out, citing mental health issues.

Feb. 10: Two days after James Harden tells the Nets he wants out, and a day after talks reach the ownership level between Joe Tsai and Josh Harris, the Nets trade James Harden for Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two picks.

Feb. 15: Simmons is introduced at a press conference, saying he’s starting his ramp up and hopes to be ready to play by March 10 in Philadelphia. He makes no mention of a bad back.

Ben Simmons with Patty Mills during a February 16 Brooklyn Nets game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Picture: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Feb 16: Sixers president Daryl Morey goes on the “Rights To Ricky Sanchez” podcast and admits he believes Simmons’ mental health claims. “I believe him,” Morey says. “He was going through something.”

Feb. 25: Simmons flies to Milwaukee with the Nets. The next day, The Athletic reports his back needs further strengthening, and Steve Nash confirms Simmons has “a little back soreness” preventing him from taking the court in practice.

March 3: Marks tells YES Network that Simmons is weeks away from playing due to “back stiffness.”

March 14: The Post speaks to multiple experts who say Simmons won’t play this season, with one adding he expected not only an epidural, but off-season surgery.

March 16: ESPN reports Simmons has suffered an “irritation” of the L-4 disc of the lower spine, but hopes to play in the regular-season. Nash reveals Simmons had an epidural. Asked by the Post if surgery was on the table, Nash said “I don’t think anyone’s even talked about a procedure.”

March 21: The Athletic reports that Simmons has a herniated disc, after the Nets had used terms like “stiffness and soreness.” Nash again shoots down talk of surgery.

April 2: Simmons files a grievance to recoup $19 million in fines back from Philadelphia. The same day Nash confirms “He’s doing some light shooting.”

April 4: Nash rules out Simmons for the rest of the regular season and the play-in.

Ben Simmons at a Brooklyn Nets vs Indiana Pacers game at Barclays Center in Brooklyn during April. Picture: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

April 9: Sources tell The Post that Simmons is improving but running out of time, and confirm they’re still trying to avoid an off-season procedure.

April 10: Both ESPN and the Athletic report he could play in the first round vs. Boston.

April 22: In his first comments to the press since his introduction, Simmons says it’s “reasonable” to think he’ll play in Game 4 three days later. Adds he’s not thinking about off-season surgery.

April 24: Simmons wakes up with back soreness. He rules himself out of Game 4. He gets ripped by fans, media and ex-players. The Nets get swept the next night.

April 27: The Athletic’s Shams Charania, on The Pat McAfee Shows, says “at this point, it is all mental with Ben Simmons.”

The present

May 4: The Nets announce Simmons will undergo back surgery.

May 5: Simmons has what the team terms successful microdiscectomy surgery at Cedars-Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital in Los Angeles. After the procedure, Simmons posts a photo to his Instagram with the caption “Surgery went well thank you for the well wishes.”

The procedure is performed by Dr. Robert Watkins IV. Coincidentally, Watkins’ father — Dr. Robert Watkins III — had performed Nash’s back surgery in 2013.

Dr. Watkins is the spine consultant for the Lakers, Clippers, Rams, Dodgers, Kings and LAFC. His practice has had 43 NBA players as clients, with the most recent surgery (before Simmons) being a December procedure on Brook Lopez. The ex-Net was back playing by early March. Can Simmons expect a similar timeline?

Ben Simmons during the NBA playoffs, in which the Nets were swept in the first round by the Boston Celtics. Picture: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The future

This week: The Nets said Simmons would start his rehabilitation program after approximately three weeks.

Dr. Neel Anand — director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, which is affiliated with the hospital where Simmons’ surgery was performed — concurred with that timeline, but went into more depth on what the recovery will look like.

“Microdiscectomy is probably one of the best procedures we do. Most patients recover really fast,” said Anand. “It’s outpatient. Literally in two-to-four hours, he can be home.”

Indeed, Simmons was still wearing his hospital wristband while departing in a car after his surgery.

“I would say in a week-to-10 days, pretty much normal,” Anand said. “Ten days-to-six weeks, rehabbing. Six weeks-to-three months, pretty much getting back to the field. And then three months I would say most athletes will be back on the field, back doing everything. I’ve seen NHL, NFL, NBA, (all) absolutely back.”

The microdiscectomy eases the pressure on a spinal nerve root by removing whatever material is causing the pain; e.g., bone over the nerve root, or disk material under it, etc.

“It’s unbelievably successful, 99 per cent,” Anand reiterated. “But there is a situation where you could herniate again. You could blow another disk somewhere else. Unfortunately, there is that 10 per cent where [it happens]. And there’s a three per cent chance of the same disk herniating again.”

Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets bench celebrate during an NBA playoffs game against Boston. The Australian’s future with the team is unclear but may still hold promise. Picture: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Late May: Simmons should be able to start his rehabilitation in earnest.

June 1: The Nets have to inform the NBA and the 76ers whether they will use the first-round pick they got in the Simmons trade this year or postpone it until next year.

Early August: Simmons’ rehabilitation program should be winding down. If all goes well, he should be able to actually get back out on the court for basketball activities.

Aug. 11: Simmons is eligible for a two-year $88.1 million extension that starts in 2025-26, although it seems unlikely he would receive it.

Late September: Training camp starts, possibly with Simmons

– The New York Post

Originally published as Why Ben Simmons and Brooklyn Nets may still have a future together despite NBA dramas