NEW YORK — It’s time for the Nets to put Ben Simmons in rice. Like a smartphone with water damage, Simmons is malfunctioning, and this is the franchise’s last option before trading it in for a new one.
Simmons, who is visibly inhibited by his offseason back surgery (a microdiscectomy after suffering a herniated disk) is now dealing with swelling in his left knee, swelling that will sideline him for at least the Nets’ upcoming road back-to-back in Washington and Charlotte.
Swelling that is a byproduct of rushing him back to the court following back surgery in May after missing the entire 2021-22 NBA season due to a combination of mental health and back issues.
