Ben Simmons is in many ways the perfect fit for a struggling Brooklyn Nets squad. He's selfless and dedicated to defense, running in transition, and pushing the tempo. These are all things Nets head coach Steve Nash has been preaching (but not always getting) all season long, but getting the 2021 runner-up for Defensive Player of the year in the lineup has proven tricky because of a back issue. Fans have long given up hope for Simmons to return for the March 10 showdown against his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers.

But even if Simmons isn't in the lineup, everybody is wondering if he'll at least be on the bench for what figures to be an absolutely raucous environment in Philly.

Sixers fans will no doubt be prepared to boo Simmons if he's on the team's bench. Simmons forced his way out of town in an even more shocking way than James Harden forced his way out of Brooklyn. Simmons, citing mental health struggles while with his former team, hasn't suited up yet this season. Now he's out with back soreness.

If he's on that sideline, he's going to hear it from notoriously tough crowd.

Nash — just back from health and safety protocols — didn't offer a whole lot of clarity on Sunday when he answered questions about Simmons' return. But Nash did offer a clue on whether or not Ben 10 will be in attendance on Thursday.

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“We're excited to have him back,” Nash said hypothetically, about whenever Simmons can return to the floor. “Excited for that process to unfold, of him understanding his teammates and vice versa, and we just can't wait to get him back. He's gonna change everything for us.”

The Nets need him to be a game-changer. Entering play Sunday in eighth place at 32-32, they're facing a very tough road ahead. Even getting to the playoffs is no longer a sure thing with some dicey play-in tournament scenarios where they wouldn't have Kyrie Irving available.

“No update right now,” Nash said regarding Simmons' return.

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Nash was reminded that Marks mentioned perhaps Simmons could be reintegrated with team practices following the end of next week, somewhere around March 13.

“I don't know. I won't comment on that,” Nash admitted. “I don't think I know the answer to that, that would be fantastic.”

But what would that all depend on?

“I assume just the performance team clearing his steps,” Nash explained, “so that's above my pay grade, as far as they're using their expertise to determine what levels of his return he's at, so I can't give anything concrete 'cause that's a technical question for the medical staff.”

The next question is the big one: Is Simmons with the team now? Will he be for this trip?

“He is not on the trip right now,” Nash said. “He's gonna join us, though.”

Very interesting. Presumably Simmons is taking advantage of skipping a flight or two. Players have lamented over the years that when you're dealing with something like back tightness, all of the airplane rides don't exactly help. But Nash saying he will be with the team eventually is the key update everybody was wondering about.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski offered up more context on Sunday:

The Nets are in Boston on Sunday, then Charlotte on Tuesday, and finally Philly on Thursday. If Simmons joins them eventually like Nash says, that would place him on the bench for that wild scene, subjecting him to the incessant heckling of Sixers fans. But he won't be able to get out there and try to lock up James Harden. That might be the hardest thing of all for the 25-year-old All-Star out of Melbourne, Australia.

Stay tuned for more updates.