There were plenty of times when Ben Simmons’ colossal disappointment of a Nets tenure seemed as if it could be over: back in March 2023, when a nerve impingement in his back and knee problems led to him being shut down; one year later, when his season ended again due to a nerve impingement.

The No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft was not with the Nets for their game Friday night against the Miami Heat as the sides work toward a buyout of his contract. Coach Jordi Fernandez said Simmons would remain away from the team,