Bobby Marks: Nets' Ben Simmons Would Get Minimum Contract If He Was NBA Free Agent

It's a good thing Ben Simmons got his big payday when he did because one prominent NBA analyst thinks the three-time All-Star would struggle to get any type of deal if he were on the open market today.

Appearing on the HoopsHype podcast, ESPN's Bobby Marks said Simmons would only get a minimum contract right now "because he's not reliable."

Simmons is signed through 2024-25 with salaries of $37.9 million this season and $40.3 million next season.

This isn't exactly a revelatory statement. Simmons hasn't been a star-level player since the 2020-21 season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He's barely been a useful player since joining the Brooklyn Nets.

The 27-year-old has only played in 48 games over the past three seasons due to injuries. His last appearance this season was on Nov. 6 due to a nerve impingement in his lower back.

A statement from the Nets released on Dec. 20 said Simmons has "shown consistent strength improvement" in his back, but he was still relegated to individual work and was going to be out until at least January.

It's currently Jan. 12 and there have been no official updates on Simmons' status. He told reporters on Wednesday during a Nets' practice in Paris before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers he would "be back soon."

In the 48 games that Simmons has played with the Nets, he's averaging 6.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. His once-stellar defense has dropped off due to injuries.

Until Simmons can prove that he's no longer a significant injury risk, there's no reason to think he will be a major contributor for an NBA team again.