Grievance Settlement With 76ers May Pave Way For Ben Simmons' Nets Debut

The Brooklyn Nets are hoping to get a bit of a reprieve this coming NBA season after a chaotic couple of months centered on Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

Although the focus has been on potential trades involving the two All-Stars, there is still one overlooked player that most may have forgotten. He goes by the name Ben Simmons.

Acquired last season in exchange for James Harden, Simmons has yet to play since the 2020-21 NBA playoffs.

Most will recall the criticism the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year garnered, something that led to his infamous holdout and request to be traded.

The 26-year-old did not play a single minute in the 2021-22 season due to various reasons. That included his alleged mental health struggles that led to Philly withholding his per-game salary worth roughly $360,000 for each match he missed.

In all, the Sixers withheld $1.3 million, which added up to nearly $20 million last season per CBS Sports.

But it appears the issue between Simmons and the Sixers has finally been settled.

Both sides have reportedly come to an agreement according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

However, the exact figures or money in the deal were not detailed.

This development gives the Nets some breathing space as far as the turmoil caused by the Irving and Durant trade brouhaha.

Should "Uncle Drew" be traded, Simmons will likely head coach Steve Nash's starting playmaker for the coming NBA season.

That is unless Brooklyn has other plans in mind to make the most out of the 6-foot-11 All-Star.

On the part of the 76ers, they can now focus on the season ahead. Harden and Joel Embiid is at the center of head coach Doc Rivers' upcoming campaign.

Incidentally, Durant has been also linked to a move to the 76ers. However, it would take much to add the former NBA MVP in the mix, meaning Philly will have to give up multiple players plus draft picks.

As of this writing, that has yet to progress from the rumor mill.

Some players likely to be included are Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle to somehow cover the huge salary of the two-time NBA champion, Ian Begley of SNY.tv reported.