Ben Simmons’ Brooklyn Nets Tenure Has Been An Ugly One

There may not be a bigger what-if in the NBA currently than Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets. The No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft was oozing with potential, possessing the tools to become a star in the league.

Standing 6’10”, Simmons was the size of a big man with the skills of a guard. He was more than capable of running the offense as the point guard and then could be banging on the interior with the opposing center on defense.

That kind of versatility could have very well led to stardom at some point for Simmons. After missing his first season in the NBA because of a foot injury, he quickly showcased that immense potential.

He ran away with the Rookie of the Year award in the 2017-18 season, starting an impressive four-year stretch. Simmons was a multi-time All-Star and All-Defensive Team member, making a major impact despite not having a jump shot.

Unfortunately, that four-year stretch is likely the best we will see from Simmons. The following three seasons have been a disaster, punctuated by yet another season-ending injury. Simmons will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2023-24 NBA season as the Nets figure out a path to dealing with his back issues.

What was once a promising career has gone off the rails. The end of his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers was an ugly one, and while his relationship with the Nets’ organization hasn’t been bad, this tenure is just as ugly.

Injuries have marred his tenure in Brooklyn. As shared by Covers, Simmons has played in a total of 57 games since joining the Nets, averaging 6.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 25.7 minutes per game.