The Nets will have oft-injured Ben Simmons officially cleared and ready to start training camp.
But they won’t have Bojan Bogdanovic, still recovering from surgery.
Simmons, the only All-Star on Brooklyn’s roster, had been cleared for 5-on-5 some time ago as the Post reported back on Sept. 7. Getting him back on the court after having his last two seasons decimated by back woes will be key for the Nets, who finally look to get if not a prime Simmons at least a quasi-healthy one.
“Yeah, I certainly hope so for Ben’s sake,” said general manager Sean Marks. “You never want to see anybody have to go through a couple of back surgeries like you had and sit out. Being the competitive guy he is, you wish him well and you hope he can get out there on the court.
“From what we’ve seen so far with Ben, Ben will be a full go in camp, which, for us, that’s exciting to see. And for him, he’s champing at the bit to be able to get out there and contribute. So this is a big year for him, just like it is for the rest of us.”
Simmons’ nerve impingement issues came back last season, and he had season-ending surgery in March. It was his second such surgery in two years, and he’s missed 189 of 246 games over the prior three seasons, including all eight of Brooklyn’s playoff tilts in consecutive first-round exits.
“Ben’s been very good. Had a successful surgery, really good summer. He sits in a very good place, and like Sean just said, he’ll be full go to start camp,” said first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez.
“But we’ll treat him the same way as everybody else. We’ll go through practices, we evaluate how everybody feels, and then we’ll make decisions. And that’s why we have a great medical staff, performance staff, and we’ll work all together as a unit. So excited to see Ben on the court from Day 1.”
The Nets won’t have Bogdanovic from Day 1.
The sweet-shooting small forward arrived from the Knicks in the Mikal Bridges trade, but he’s still recovering from season-ending surgeries on his left foot and wrist.
At 35, Bogdanovic is an expiring $19 million contract that became fully guaranteed on June 28. He’s the only player other than Cam Thomas on the roster to have averaged 20 points, but it remains to be seen if he and the Nets discuss a buyout.