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NBA 2022 news: Ben Simmons leaves Brooklyn Nets group chat, Kevin Durant

Ben Simmons has been savagely exposed for leaving his teammates hanging during a crucial NBA playoff contest.

Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the middle of the 2021/22 season in a blockbuster trade that landed the Philadelphia 76ers James Harden.

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After having not suited up throughout the regular season, Simmons’ return to the hardwood gained momentum in the lead up to the playoffs.

The Athletic reported his return had been earmarked for the Nets in Game 4 of their first round series against the Boston Celtics.

Down 3-0, the Nets were on the brink of elimination and a Ben Simmons injection could have delivered the spark they required.

Prior to the do-or-die contest, Simmons pulled out due to back soreness that eventually required surgery. He did not sit on the bench alongside his teammates for the game which the Celtics won 116-112.

But now a new damning report has shown Simmons’ withdrawal went a step further. NBA analyst Ric Bucher spilled the beans, exposing Simmons’ bizarre snub.

“They’re having a team chat before game four, thinking he’s going to play against the Celtics, and from what I’m told, Ben just left the chat,” Bucher told Colin Cowherd on The Herd.

“They asked him, ‘Are you going to play?’ Ben left the chat. Like he didn’t even answer the question. He just left the chat.”

The damning report sent basketball social media into a spin with many rocked by the unbelievable move from the Aussie.

Podcaster Mike Golic Jr wrote: “Not sure anyone involved ever recovers and I’m only kind of joking.”

ESPN’s Sarah Spain wrote: “WELP”.

Barstool Sports’ Dan Greenberg wrote: “I’m sorry what”.

The news comes on the same day Kevin Durant’s bombshell trade demands came to light, with the superstar putting an ultimatum on team owner Joe Tsai.

The 26-year-old required surgery in May on his lower back after withdrawing from that crucial playoff clash with the Celtics.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Simmons needed back surgery after experiencing “pain soreness” the day before the Nets were eventually eliminated.

“Brooklyn Nets swingman Ben Simmons will require three to four months of rehabilitation after undergoing back surgery, but is expected to be fully recovered to return to the court well ahead of pre-season training camp in September, sources told ESPN on Wednesday,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote.

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Kevin Durant issues ultimatum to Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, trade news, rumors, whispers, latest, updates

The “Slim Reaper” nickname might apply off the court, too.

Kevin Durant is trying to become both a coach and GM-killer.

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The Nets superstar issued an ultimatum to Joe Tsai over the weekend that the team owner needs to choose between Durant and the pairing of head coach Steve Nash and GM Sean Marks, The Athletic reported Tuesday (AEST).

Durant, who requested a trade in June and has not been moved, had a face-to-face meeting with Tsai in London in which he did not rescind his demand.

According to the report, the Nets have “direct knowledge” concerning why the 12-time All-Star has asked out a year after he signed a four-year, $198 million extension.

The Nets have not found a trade offer that could satisfy losing the all-time great, and according to the report, Tsai and the Nets have made it known they will take “every last asset from a team that trades for Durant.”

In stating the lofty hope for the trade return, perhaps the Nets think Durant would be less motivated to leave.

Will Kevin Durant stay in Brooklyn?  Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP.
Will Kevin Durant stay in Brooklyn? Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP.Source: AFP

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The Nets are coming off a chaotic and wildly disappointing season in which the unvaccinated Kyrie Irving was banned until December and then primarily could only play in road games; James Harden, dealing with a heavier burden without Irving, requested a trade and was flipped for Ben Simmons, who never actually stepped foot on the court; and Brooklyn eventually was swept out of the first round by the Celtics.

In the aftermath, Marks said the team culture “isn’t what it quite was” and said it was his and Nash’s “job to pick that up.”

Durant reportedly does not want the GM and coach combination to be able to follow through.

After the Game 4 loss to Boston, Durant expressed his appreciation for Nash and said he was the right coach to lead the Nets into the future.

“Steve’s been dealt a crazy hand the last two years,” Durant said.

“He’s had to deal with so much stuff as a head coach, a first-time coach. Trades, injuries, COVID and just a lot of stuff he had to deal with.

“I’m proud of how he’s focused and his passion for us. We all continue to keep developing over the summer and see what happens.”

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and has been reposted with permission

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