'Disrespectful': Ben Simmons makes honest statement about NBA future
Ben Simmons labelled claims he's "robbed" the Brooklyn Nets due to his limited time on court as "disrespectful" while making a brutally honest statement about his future in the NBA.
Simmons goes into the 2024/2025 season in the final year of the contract that he signed with Philadelphia, which will pay him over $59 million this year.
The Australian was struck down by mental health issues and back problems and played less than 60 games in four of the past six years.
READ MORE: 'There are no words': Football star found dead at 31
READ MORE: 'Incredible' triple ton guides England to insane total
READ MORE: Popovic changes lauded as Socceroos rocket up group
But now he'll need to perform to stay in the most lucrative basketball competition in the world and give himself a chance at another hefty contract.
In an interview with the New York Post, Simmons was brutally honest when asked about next season.
Ben Simmons enters the final year of his contract. Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
"F--- what happens next year, and what contract I get, if I get a contract. I want to do my job while I'm here and be professional and help these guys in any way I can," he said.
"So who knows? I want to play as long as my body will allow me. So if it's one year, five years, six years, I don't know what it is. But I just want to keep going until I can't anymore.
"We have a younger team that I want to help these guys get better. I want to lead by example. I want to compete.
"Jordi [Fernandez, coach] is coming in first year. It's a big year for him. I want to be a leader on this team."
Simmons, in over two seasons in Brooklyn, played a total of 57 games, averaging 6.7 points and 6.7 rebounds - well below his averages at the 76ers.
Simmons says he wants to be a leader on the Nets. Getty
New coach Jordi Fernandez said a healthy Ben Simmons "is a very, very good player" and the main objective is to keep him healthy this year.
Simmons knows he's copped a lot of flak over the past couple of seasons over his acrimonious split with Philadelphia and his subsequent lack of playing time with the Nets has led to a mountain of criticism online.
However, Simmons says he avoids social media and took issue with the narrative that he had unfairly taken money off the Nets without spending enough time on court.
"People make comments saying I'm robbing. No. When I got that contract, I was playing at a super high level. Unfortunately, I had injuries," he said.
"But for somebody to say that, it's disrespectful. [But] people can say what they want to say. They've got to live with it. At the end of the day it all catches up with you."
