Ex-teammate’s subtle swipe proves NBA has moved on from Ben Simmons

A comment by one of Ben Simmons’ ex-teammates during the NBA Draft has proved the basketball world has moved on from the Aussie.

Matthew Sullivan

3 min read

June 23, 2023 - 7:57PM

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 24: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on October 24, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

While generational talent Victor Wembanyama was being taken with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, Ben Simmons’ name came up, and not in the way he would have liked.

Simmons sat out half of the last NBA season for the Brooklyn Nets as he struggled to recover from back surgery.

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And it’s been so long since Simmons has played his best basketball that many pundits have are now labelling the three-time All-Star a “non-factor” on Brooklyn’s roster.

Speaking on ESPN’s broadcast, former LA Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers star J.J. Reddick rattled off Nets players Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Nick Claxton and multiple draft picks as positives for the franchise.

The Nets took Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead with picks 22 and 23 in Friday’s NBA draft.

But Reddick didn’t mention Simmons, who he played with during his time at the Sixers.

That didn’t go unnoticed by ESPN’s draft host Malika Andrews, who said: “But JJ … we have not even discussed Ben Simmons?”

JJ Redick has moved on from Ben Simmons. Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP.

Simmons is on the comeback trail from a back injury. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

After an awkward pause: Reddick replied: “Yeah, I will discuss Ben Simmons when he’s back on the basketball court.”

Reddick went on to call Simmons a friend and said: “I still believe in him.”

LMAOOOO https://t.co/BFyojzfqpQ pic.twitter.com/dfktMoe5Bs
— FTB VIDS (@anotherFTBacct) June 23, 2023

Malika brought up Ben Simmons and JJ froze LMAO
— Karan (@ksenguptaa) June 23, 2023

It was a harsh reminder that the basketball world has just about moved on from Simmons, himself a former No. 1 draft pick.

Simmons famously passed up an open dunk in Philadelphia’s Game 7 loss to Atlanta in 2021 and was thrown under the bus by teammate Joel Embiid and coach Doc Rivers.

He was then traded to Brooklyn, where he struggled to recover from major back surgery and didn’t play a game after the halway point of the season when he was diagnosed with nerve impingement in his back.

Simmons is working towards a return to the court and has recently posted photos of himself working out during the off-season.

The 26-year-old wasn’t named in Australia’s extended squad for August’s FIBA World Cup, but Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has given Simmons an open invitation to attend the Aussie training camp on August 1.