Should a 100% healthy Ben Simmons start for Brooklyn Nets in 2024?

With one final season left on the Ben Simmons contract, there’s word that he will come into the year at 100%, at least according to his agent. Should Nets fans put any stock at all in this? Is Simmons coming back even though it is something the team wants to happen?
The Locked on Nets guys talk about Ben Simmons and how this final season could play out. They also discuss the Trendon Watford contract and his role this season.
Get a Free Nets eBook, with stories from the franchise
www.wegotnets.com
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 lockedonpodcas...
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 linktr.ee/Lock...
📲 Follow Locked On Nets on Socials
Locked On Nets / lockedonnets
Adam Armbrecht / adamarmbrecht
Doug Norrie / dougnorrie
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Jase Medical
Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase.
FanDuel
This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

[@georgesantiago6590]

I can’t wait for this guy to be 100% healthy on someone else’s team or overseas

[@airmorris6538]

😂😂😂😂😂😂❤

[@airmorris6538]

😅 facts

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

Anyone else see the Ben Simmons cycle meme: Posts workout videos, plays the beginning of the season not well, gets hurt, misses the rest of the season and repeats 😮😂..... What's going to be different this upcoming season????

[@DiamondEmber28]

But Jonathan, he’s 100 percent! His agent even confirmed it!

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

​@@DiamondEmber28 That's like saying a car with no battery still shines because of the reflection of the sun 😮😂......

[@yankeesny28]

@Johnathan I'm starting to think that Doug & Adam works for Sean Marks public relations department. They keep trying to convince Nets fans that Ben Simmons is a major factor on the team.

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

​@@yankeesny28 When Ben Simmons is off this team we are doing a podcast celebration 🎉🎆 😁... I'm so ready to close this unnecessary chapter because we keep talking about past statistics and hypotheticals when Ben probably has more hypothetical victories than wins in the NBA 😮😅.....

[@basketballboygenius2034]

I’m going to laugh when the Nets trade Ben and starts playing like an all star again only this time he’ll be doing it for a contender

[@FalseNi9e]

We have heard this several times before 😂

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

Resigning Trendon Watford was a great move. He can play two different positions at point guard and power forward but offers that versatility that Brooklyn needs for the future. Also he's insurance in the case Brooklyn could find a trade partner to send him elsewhere.....😮

[@danieldanielson2324]

I don’t know how a team sees a 6’10” forward pass on layups when he’s the biggest guy on the court and call him “healthy.”

[@RichardChesnet]

Its called looking to make others better. He loves to pass the ball. Just get the ball to Thomas or just find the open man. Give the guy a break. He's been injured and had back surgery.

[@danieldanielson2324]

@@RichardChesnet why should we give the guy a break when he puts himself out there as 100%? He has to be able to exist with other guys on the court. We saw it last season how much it hurts our scoring chances when Clax and Ben share the floor together. Clax isn’t going to take the backseat now so it’s up to Ben to find time on the floor. Enough coddling the guy. He needs accountability.

[@whatwordstartswithaW]

Ben Simmons is the best tanking weapon in the league if he plays he sucks and if he doesn’t he’s burning 40m in your payroll

[@pimpnamedslickback7780]

Simmons shouldn’t be apart of the starting rotation. They need to have a conversation with him and tell him that he’s not the priority this season

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

Facts 👌 💯 At this point Jordan Poole for Ben Simmons is sounding like a bargain 😮😅.....

[@IvanMartinez-or7fi]

@@jonathanoscategui2678facts

[@THE_HORSEYY]

If he still plays like a lil girl than I agree

[@basketballboygenius2034]

If the priority is losing why not start him? He sucks right?…if you want to lose wouldn’t you start a player that sucks!…

[@mattfreeman2082]

​@@basketballboygenius2034 he definitely does suck 😂 every time he's been on the court in the past 2 seasons, we've looked better with him on the court than off the court. Everyone knows this, even the Simmons haters

[@samueldeblaw9677]

Good pod guys. Ben Simmons is toast. time to cut bait on him. I would not allow him to ruin this season as his last act before being shown the door. it's a little too late for the Ben Simmons hero story. they should pull him aside and tell him we no longer need your services. the best way for you to help us is go home collect your money and stay out of the news. SECURITY ESCORT THIS MAN OFF THE PROPERTY

[@DanteBrisingr]

He is 100% of what he was this time last year

[@BigBroKuma]

Tbh I don't really think Simmons will be a factor next season he's just gonna be extra cap space next season. His value is his expiring contract and if he by some miracle plays 50 games averaging 25-30 minutes a game it doesn't really do a lot for the squad

[@demariomontague27]

I am looking forward to seeing the Nets using the draft picks to build around Ben Simmons...what could go wrong??!!

[@MizrahimJudean]

I know content is slow, but Ben is done man 😂

[@hollaback0690]

Of course Ben Simmons is gonna be 100% healthy and ball out this year! Why? Because this is the one year the Nets are trying to lose. That would be hilarious. Lol

[@RichardChesnet]

And its his contract year.

[@RichardChesnet]

I predict. Cam Thomas averages 30+ pts. 5 assists. 5 rebounds. Simmons 8 pts. 10 assists. 10 rebounds. Claxton 15 points. 11 rebounds. Clowney 15 points. 8 rebounds. Bojan Bogdanovic 15 points. 2 assists. 2 rebounds. Nets get the # 7 or 8 seed. Then fuck the rebuild. Getting rid of Bridges was possibly the best thing to ever happen to the Nets.

[@real_dilla1528]

@@RichardChesnetand then? Losing in the first round?

[@airmorris6538]

Lol we shouldn't even be talking bout Ben Simmons. Who cares? Forget bout him healthy or not we don't need him don't want him and can't wait too that contract up lol

[@clashbandicoot793]

Have a great idea if we are planning to tank. Play Simmons and Claxton at the same time..offensive rating of 0

[@millercmdn]

You guys are delusional you don’t realize Ben Simmons is just a bum

[@DarthDaddy-ib2jx]

Hopefully he plays good and we can get a solid trade for him before he hits free agency

[@JaceBarretto]

At this point if he plays it's not going to make a difference.

[@basketballboygenius2034]

Regardless of what you think about Ben. He’s still 6’10 along with being an elite defender passer playmaker slasher and rebounder! And if he’s healthy he can be a contributor on championship team.

[@mayhemcbs]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@euclidnaboye5662]

Yes worth $250M rookie max contract! He's just coming of his rookie season, right?

[@basketballboygenius2034]

I talk basketball. Not narratives. Time to grow up kiddo

[@Mitchell.zurawlenko]

@@basketballboygenius2034Exactly! Ben is the single greatest talent in Nets history 😤

[@aryansinha4751]

Honestly Ben Simmons is the perfect player for a tanking team, he’s ass 🤣🤣🤣 just let the contract ride and resign young players next off season

[@Njnetsman]

He should never start for Nets or any team again. Even if he is healthy, he will always play scared of contact and never ever shoot the ball!

[@galferenc1982]

I think Simmons needs to start. He will create shots for the young guys. Actually him not being able to play next to Claxton is a good thing. It will help us lose games. If anything, I'd ask both Ben and Clax to attempt at least 4 three pointers per game, so they can fit better next to each other. I don't care if they shoot 20 percent. This season should be about development. Raising the value of CJ until the deadline should be to priority, and Ben will do that. We also have to lose games at the same time, and pairing Simmons and Claxton will also help there.

[@ebok33643]

Ben Simmons was 100% healthy at the start of the last season. Anyone with L3/L4 disc protrusions would know it doesn’t matter if you are 100% healthy before any major game level contact. That’s when it flares up and eventually makes him unavailable. Watch after 20 odd games.

[@JustTweakin]

Ur so right i got disc issues too. I could be 100% fine then when i play two pick games my back stiffens up

[@mayhemcbs]

He is 100 percent.....Waste of money

[@richardsansbury7453]

The NETS are very understanding. They don't expect much expecting anything from that bum

[@chirocket4791]

Called wolf too many times.

[@ignaciomolina8134]

No Let him prove himself until January or February The Man is without any credibility or respect.

[@givingyousportsfrommyview]

Basically either way he isn’t apart of the Nets future y’all just talking for clicks

[@panaceiasuberes6464]

Each game this bozo played for the franchise costs 2.5mil on salaries. What a jokster.

[@CesarHernandez-nh1wz]

No.

[@hambaallah-mn1em]

don't. just don't. it's time to move on bois.

[@deafydeafs]

Wats and Ben are point fowards !

[@anthonycapoocia2460]

What? Ben Simmons 100% healthy? Never heard that before.

[@Dreamchasee]

If he’s healthy good, trade him for another first round pick

[@mayhemcbs]

GOT A BETTER CHANCE AT WINNING THE LOTTO.NOBOBY WANTS HIM AT 40 MILLION EXCEPT SEAN MARKS

[@Dreamchasee]

@@mayhemcbs trust an believe Sean do not want him 😂😂 no jus gotta deal with him til the season over lol

[@mayhemcbs]

@@Dreamchasee Why did Sean trade for him then? Because James asked?If he is that type of GM he needs to go permanently

[@Dreamchasee]

@@mayhemcbs because he his a three time all star, all of these injuries were out of the blue and unexpected, everyone was unaware of them

[@marcorolo4726]

Simmons is the most mentally soft player in the league. Afraid of his own shadow. He needs to retire