Ben Simmons and his team will sit down with the Brooklyn Nets to draw up an offseason plan that will see the Australian Guard in the best mental and physical condition for a successful return to court.
“We will work closely with the Nets on the summer plan,” a source close to Simmons told the Washington Post.
“Everyone is confident.”
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After trading on the net in February, Simmons sat down with a herniated disc for the remainder of the 2021-2022 season. He underwent a successful microdissection procedure earlier this month, shortly after the Celtics lost to the Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The 25-year-old will need at least three months of rehabilitation to fully recover, but is expected to be ready for a net training camp in September.
Following the procedure, Simmons has “a new lease on life,” said Shawn Marx, general manager of Net.
“I’ve contacted him more than once since the surgery, he’s already feeling relieved and feeling great. He knows it’s been back to those five months, he has a big build up to be ready and to contribute,” he said.
“After Ben’s surgery, I don’t want to speak for him, but I can feel there’s a relief. There’s a new lease on life, so to speak. Move and now it’s gone to the rest. “
Simmons also mentions mental health issues in Philadelphia for which the net is willing to provide support.
Although Simmons had previously seen the mental health professionals provided by the NBA Players Association, he refused to use the 76ers’ resources to help him through his psychological problems.
Marx said the “key” to bringing Simmons back to court was to stay as close to his teammates and coaches at the HSS training center as possible during his rehabilitation.
“[The question] How we support him in terms of emotional performance is a sensitive issue, “he said.
“I don’t want to talk about anyone’s mental health or mental performance. I’ll let Ben address it at the right time.
“I’ll say it: whether it’s the NBA or not, what everyone is going through, I look around and I like it. [see] If there is anyone who has not had any kind of mental fatigue in the last two years.
“It wasn’t easy for anyone. I’m not making excuses with anyone in professional sports, but we all need support. And we’re going through it. And the same for Ben. We’re doing everything we can to get him around our group.”
“She needs to be here, smell the gym again, be around her friends, be around her family and participate in it and let us help her build a culture together. Build together, back her up.”
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