In the midst of the 2021-22 season, Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The trade offered him the opportunity to start fresh with a new franchise and reinvent himself in the wake of his 2021 playoff bumble. As fate would have it, Simmons wouldn’t touch the floor for the Nets following the trade.
During a recent episode of JJ Redick’s “The Old Man and the Three” podcast, Simmons explained why his mental health is more important than money:
If fans thought Ben Simmons was bluffing, the numbers prove he wasn’t. At the time of his trade to the Nets, Simmons was fined nearly $20 million by the Philadelphia 76ers. The fines stemmed from missing games as he dealt with his mental health.
However, the two sides came to an agreement in August to recoup some part of the withheld salary. The exact figures were kept confidential.
A new opportunity in Brooklyn for Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons’ trade to the Brooklyn Nets was one that many believed would prompt him to return to the floor. Even during the playoffs, Simmons wasn’t ready. This garnered him a considerable amount of criticism, but he was dealing with a back injury.
The saga began to mimic that of his final season in Philadelphia, where he seemed to fold under playoff pressure. As JJ Redick pointed out, the difference was that the Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers was quick to place the blame on Simmons. Rivers questioned whether or not Simmons could be the point guard on a championship team.
The Brooklyn Nets, however, continued to have faith in Simmons’ abilities when healthy. With Simmons now healthy and set to return this season, the Nets could be contenders in the East.
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