Nets’ Ben Simmons Will Miss Time With Back Injury, His Agent Takes The ‘Blame’

The current nerve impingement in Simmons’ back is less severe than the one that sidelined him for 10 weeks earlier this season.

Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, said it’s his fault the Nets swingman is injured again. 

“It is a continuation of the same injury that he has dealt with all year,” Lee told SNY. “…We are trying to get clearer answers as to how to get him out of the reactive cycle he’s in. We continue to try and find non-surgical options to allow Ben to move forward on a permanent basis and that is where this is my responsibility and I am (the) one to blame.”

Simmons has appeared in only 15 games this season. He’s averaging 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 58.1% from the field and 40.0% from the free-throw line. 

“When I began working with Ben I made a commitment to him that I would do everything I could to find the right answers and specialists for him to work with (in order) to move forward from the issues he has been having,” Lee said. “Clearly it hasn’t happened, and that’s my responsibility.”

The Nets acquired Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers in the James Harden trade in February 2022. Simmons has played in just 57 games with Brooklyn. 

“In the year I have worked with Ben he has taken less than seven days off,” Lee said. “In my almost 20 years doing this (it) isn’t something I’ve seen. So the thought that he is doing everything asked of him but not getting the results is something that in no way shape or form sits right with me, and I am committed to finding him the right people and the right answers and we will. Come the offseason, we’re going to implement some processes and outside input that’ll allow him to finally move forward from this ongoing issue and resume his career at the levels he’s established prior to being injured.”

Simmons was the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He’s made three All-Star teams, two All-Defensive teams and one All-NBA team.