Nets’ Ben Simmons reveals he considered retiring during the offseason amid injury struggles

Brooklyn Networks guard Ben Simmons R. considered revealedJurice last summer After a second straight season, they were cut short by an injured back.

“There was a time, last summer, when I was like, ‘I don’t know if I can do it.’ I might have to stop playing,” Simmons said on Young man and three Podcast. “I had to talk it through and think about it, just because physically it’s hard, but mentally it’s so hard to come back from an injury like that and go through the process of re-establishing myself for the second summer in a row.”

After sitting out the entire 2021-22 season, Simmons underwent surgery on a herniated disc during the 2022 offseason. The three-time All-Star played in 42 games the following season before the Nets shut him down due to continued back injuries.

Despite a seven-month rehab process, he played 15 games in 2023 before being shut down due to a special bunion strain. Simmons underwent his second back surgery in March.

Ben Simmons has been considering retirement amid injuries battling the Nets

The former No. 1 pick has had the healthiest start to the season of his network tenure this year. He said his body felt a different response after his second procedure back.

“This time around with this surgery it was very different, and I could feel it. The first surgery I had, it took a lot of relief and pain from my nerve, but this second time was completely different. I felt like I had a new body,” Simmons said.

The Nets continued to carefully manage Simmons’ team workload. He has appeared in 30 of 45 games so far. Despite his improved health, the Aussie’s production continued to pale in comparison to his Philadelphia 76ers days.

Simmons is averaging 6.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. His offensive aggressiveness continued to decline. He attempted 7.3 field goals and 1.1 free throws per 36 minutes, both career highs.

However, after Taking over for Dennis Schroder as the Nets starting guardHe has seen improvement in that department. Over his last 11 appearances, Simmons is averaging 8.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 28.5 minutes per game, third-most on the team. Hit his aggressiveness as a shooter, attempting 7.1 field goals per game, though they still aren’t falling well Head coach Jordi Fernandez’s goal is 10 per game.

Simmons’ NBA future beyond this season is unknown. He is in the final year of his $177 million contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.