Nets getting concerned with Simmons’ presence and skill level

 

According to the source, the turmoil surrounding Ben Simmons is still making headlines in the NBA, and it’s now infiltrating the Brooklyn Nets locker room.

 

The frustration with Simmons’ lack of stock availability and level of play has been “growing within the organization in recent weeks.”

 

Simmons already missed four games this season due to knee pain; since being dealt to Nets on Feb. 10, he has only appeared in 10 for Brooklyn, all of which were in 2022-23.

 

So far this season, he has averaged career lows of 5.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 5.6 assists in 26 minutes per game.

 

The basketball world has come to expect more from the two-time all-star, and his teammates have called him out in player-only meetings, according to the source. In that discussion, forward Markieff Morris stated that the club needed Simmons to overcome hardship and be successful for the Nets to succeed.

 

“I understand (the skepticism about my injuries), but I believe the one thing about me is that I’m a competitor,” Simmons said after the Nets lost 153-121 to Sacramento on Tuesday. “I want to win and play, so I’ll do whatever I can to get out there.”

 

Simmons defended his knee problems this season and why he missed time. “You’re not going to be happy when anybody’s out,” Simmons said. “But I’ve been struggling with the knee since the beginning of the season. It’s been swollen; I’ve had PRP (injections); I’ve had blood drained a couple of times. It’s not a made-up thing, you know? It’s a real thing.”

 

The 26-year-old star has recently been out for various reasons, including a back injury, mental health concerns following the 2021 playoffs, and knee trouble.

 

Despite the turbulence surrounding the team, Nets entered the season with title expectations and now sit 12th in the East with a 6-9 record.