Ben Simmons expected to be close to ‘full form’ this season by teammate Cam Johnson as the Brooklyn Nets wing says the Australian is in a ‘good place’

After a forgettable debut season with the Nets, Ben Simmons is approaching “full form” according to teammate Cam Johnson.

A three-time All-Star, Simmons has been in Brooklyn since February 2022 following his inclusion in a blockbuster trade that sent James Harden to the Sixers.

But the Australian didn’t play at all that year as he fought back and had mental health issues, and was a diminished version of his All-Star record, as he got just 42 times last season.

Now that Simmons is more than 15 months away from back surgery he underwent last May, Johnson thinks the 27-year-old is returning to his former level.

“He’s in a good place,” Johnson told the New York Post from Team USA practice in Las Vegas.

“He says it’s progressing and he’s excited for the season. Can’t wait to see what he brings to the table this year. I expect if he’s not in shape he’ll be pretty close.”

But teammate Cam Johnson, seen in Las Vegas, thinks we’ll see him at his best soon

Simmons, who is recovering from his back injury at the University of Miami, was eliminated by the Nets in March with the team in playoff position.

And when he made it onto the field for Brooklyn, Simmons was impressed.

The jump-shooting-averse guard averaged a career low of 6.9 points to go along with 6.1 assists.

Whether it was through his continued recovery from injury, his new surroundings, or his place on a then star-studded roster alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Simmons often seemed lacking in confidence as he made fewer than six field goals per game.

His offensive fit alongside center Nic Claxton was also a concern early in the season, with Simmons eventually falling into the rotation and serving as a backup.

Nevertheless, if he can return to his All-Star form, the Nets’ ceiling could be raised significantly.

Simmons was often found in street clothes last season as he played just 42 of 82 games

Mikal Bridges blossomed into a larger role after coming into the Kevin Durant trade from Phoenix, Johnson is a sweet two-way player and Claxton has established himself as one of the best edge guards in the league.

“He’s very important to us,” Johnson said of Simmons. “There are things he does on the field that not many players in the NBA can do. And he adds something that is very valuable to myself, Spencer (Dinwiddie), Mikal (Bridges) and being able to set us up and get shots and play in flow like that.

“With him on the field, we become a better team.”

Simmons only played three games with Johnson and Bridges after they arrived in Brooklyn from Phoenix.

He hopes to share the field with them much more often next season.