Is Ben Simmons going to play during the 2024-25 NBA season for the Brooklyn Nets? Although Simmons' availability has been thin over the last few seasons, the former first overall pick appears to be ready for the start of training camp after playing in only 15 games during the 2023-24 season. Simmons, a three-time All-Star, now finds himself in a unique situation because while he is going to have to work his way back to full speed, he gets to do so with a rebuilding Nets team.

After trading Mikal Bridges in the offseason, the Nets have taken a slight step back as they continue to search for the right path to move forward. Cam Johnson and Cam Thomas are some of the organization's talented players, but Simmons remains the biggest question mark, as he could wind up being a key to this franchise unlocking their future.

Simmons underwent multiple back procedures over the last year, and he is ready to prove that he can be the same impactful talent that he once was. At Nets media day on Monday, the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year discussed what being on the court means for his team while also sending a stern message to those who continue to doubt him.

“I think people forget, me as a player, when I'm healthy, I can play basketball. I'm pretty good, right?” Simmons questioned. “So for me, it's just about being consistent with that and staying on top of my body. Just getting better every day and staying in the gym with these guys.”

Many have forgotten about Simmons. Once known for being an All-Star with the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons has been labeled as an injury-prone failure by many fans around the league. However, the Nets star has worked hard to work his way back from all of his injury struggles and appears to be in the best shape before the start of training camp.

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The Houston Rockets invested heavily into Fred VanVleet during the 2023 offseason. Houston gave the point guard a three-year, $128 million deal in a move that was meant to turn the Rockets from a rebuilding team into a championship contending one. The signing did just that, as the Rockets finished the 2024-25 regular season as the two-seed in a stacked Western Conference. VanVleet was the veteran presence and 3-point shooter that the team desperately needed, and he still might have a role with the Rockets going forward. Houston has a team option on his contract for next year, and they very well may pick it up. The Wichita State product reportedly wants to stay in Houston, but the point guard would be set to make over $44 million next season under his current contract. The Rockets and their guard recently pushed back the deadline on Houston's decision with VanVleet, and although reports suggest that they are interested in writing up a new, long-term deal, it isn't necessarily a guarantee that VanVleet will be playing for Houston next year. The Rockets blew him away with an offer he couldn't refuse back in 2023, and another team could so the same when/if he hits the open market this offseason. If VanVleet does become an unrestricted free agent, which teams outside of Houston would make the most sense for him to sign with? 1. Orlando Magic Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner recently signed big deals with the Orlando Magic, and Paolo Banchero will be getting a mega contract extension here soon. Because of that, the Magic no longer have money to blow like they have had in recent years. That will make a deal for another big ticket free agent hard to pull off, especially considering the team signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope last year. If Orlando can make the money work, though, then Fred VanVleet would be a great fit with the Magic. The Magic finished dead last in 3-point shooting this season, and VanVleet has made at least 2.5 deep balls per game in every season since 2018-19. VanVleet can hit shots form behind the arc off of the bounce or in catch-and-shoot situations. The Rockets were heavily reliant on his shooting expertise, so the guard would have plenty of familiarity getting up deep shots with high volume if he signed with the Magic. While undersized, VanVleet is a pesky defender, so he'd fit right in with a Magic team that has one of the best defensive units in the league. VanVleet could play alongside Suggs and give opposing teams fits. Ultimately, though, the Magic just need more shooting to get to the next level, and VanVleet is arguably the best shooter who could be available on the open market this offseason. 2. Brooklyn Nets A more realistic option for a VanVleet destination would be the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are set up to have the most cap space this offseason, and they have a major need at point guard. With D'Angelo Russell and De'Anthony Melton hitting free agency this offseason, the Nets don't have a true point guard under contract for next season. Brooklyn needs to spend big this offseason, and they'd be smart to offer VanVleet a contract big enough that he'd have no choice but to leave Houston. VanVleet averaged 14.1 points per game last season, which was his lowest mark since 2018-19. He is trending the wrong way, but he still has enough left in the tank to give the Nets a few good seasons. 3. Portland Trail Blazers In the same way that the Rockets were looking to take the next step in 2023, the Portland Trail Blazers could use VanVleet's presence to get over the hump. The Trail Blazers have plenty of big man depth, as centers Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams, and Duop Death are all under contract next season. Portland also has a lot of wing depth. Deni Advija started to look like a star late this past season, Toumani Camara is an elite defender, Shaedon Sharpe is a freakish athlete, and Jerami Grant is a proven scorer. The team is thinner in the backcourt, though. Anfernee Simons is a solid scorer, but Scoot Henderson has looked like a fringe draft bust since being drafted third overall. Portland shouldn't give up on Henderson completely, but there wouldn't be any harm in signing another guard. Like the Magic, the Blazers were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. VanVleet would improve that weakness, and in a stacked Western Conference, Portland needs all of the help they can get if they are to compete for a playoff spot.
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Ty Jerome Cavaliers
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Prior to dealing with back issues during the 2021-22 season, Simmons had put together four very solid seasons in Philadelphia, averaging 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game. If the Nets can receive this kind of production from Simmons during the 2024-25 season, new head coach Jordi Fernandez and the entire organization would be thrilled.

It is easy to forget a player when they are not on the court due to injuries, but in Simmons' case, he is ready to prove that he is back. The only way to do so is to actually play in games, and Simmons is out to ,prove that he is still a “pretty good” basketball player.

Still, the big question remains: Can Ben Simmons return to form and be an impactful player during the 2024-25 season for the Nets?

Simmons seems to think so, but he will have to remain healthy in order to prove his words true.