There were plenty of times when Ben Simmons’ colossal disappointment of a Nets tenure seemed as if it could be over: back in March 2023, when a nerve impingement in his back and knee problems led to him being shut down; one year later, when his season ended again due to a nerve impingement.

Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons has spent the last three seasons with the Brooklyn Nets after he was acquired by the Nets at the trade deadline in exchange for James Harden in 2022. The first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft has spent much of his time in Brooklyn on the sidelines due to multiple injuries.

The Los Angeles Clippers could have a secret weapon up their sleeve with this five-man starting unit with Ben Simmons involved.