While it sure looks like James Harden is set to make his debut with the Philadelphia 76ers real soon, it remains to be seen when Ben Simmons will make his first appearance for the Brooklyn Nets.

According to one report from ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Ben Simmons is expected to “ramp it up” this week in Nets practice in the coming week.

“Ben Simmons, from what I’m told, is going to really ramp it up this week and see where he’s at at the end of the week, but he’s getting close,” said Shelburne on the new Nets star. “It’s going to be more like weeks rather than months.”

I guess that's good news, sort of? The idea that Ben Simmons would take months before his return probably didn't cross many people's minds when he trade went down. But it's at least somewhat reassuring that he'll make his Nets debut in a few weeks rather than months.

The Nets definitely need him as soon as he can suit up. They've lost 12 of their last 14 and haven't strung together three consecutive wins since the middle of December.

It's interesting to note that the Nets take a trip to Philadelphia to face the Sixers on March 10, which is conspicuously also a few weeks after the All-Star break.

With Kevin Durant still nursing his injury and Kyrie Irving only playing in road games, adding Ben Simmons to the mix can potentially help stop the bleeding as Brooklyn has tumbled down the Eastern Conference standings.