Brooklyn Nets flop Ben Simmons shows off his ripped physique in off-season workout as he bids return

Ben Simmons has been showing off his ripped physique during an off-season workout on social media, as the NBA star heads into a comeback season after his injury battle since being traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

Simmons, 26, shared a few photos of himself in the gym on Thursday, focusing on both his shooting and dribbling skills on an indoor basketball court in Miami.

“Just chewing on the water,” the Australian captioned his Instagram post, while also sharing a photo of himself fishing with two of his friends.

Simmons, who was the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, had a tough first year transitioning to living in the Big Apple’s largest neighborhood after a mid-season trade in February 2022, with James Harden and Paul Millsap the other way.

Last year, he averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 56 percent from the field, after returning from back surgery in the summer of 2022.

Simmons, 26, is trying to get back to top form ahead of the 2023/24 NBA season in October

Simmons was also seen dribbling two blue basketballs during an off-season workout on Thursday

Simmons was ultimately forced to sit out most of the second half of the season after appearing in just 42 games, 33 of them, finishing on the winning team 24 times. In those games, he had four double-doubles and one triple-double.

The Nets finished the regular season as the sixth seed of the Eastern Conference and were eliminated from the playoffs after a first round win by the 76ers – ironically Simmons’ former team.

Brooklyn had championship aspirations at the start of the 2022-223 season, before the team traded All-Star Kyrie Irving (to the Dallas Mavericks) and Kevin Durant (to the Phoenix Suns).

Simmons – a three-time All-Star – will be seen as a key player to rebuild alongside forward Mikael Bridges. The LSU product is only entering its sixth season in the league, but has missed nearly two years of playing time.

Simmons also had time for the gym, weightlifting from the University of Miami

“Just chew the water,” the Australian captioned his Instagram post on Thursday

Simmons has been battling several back injuries since he was traded to Brooklyn in ’22

He currently has two years and $78 million left on his five-year, $177.2 million contract, which he signed during his senior year in Philadelphia (2020-21 season).

In April, Simmons’ new agent Bernie Lee told reporters he expects Simmons to be physically ready for the Nets’ training camp in early October.

Nets GM Sean Marks has said he expects the player to be back in shape by early September.

‘The group around Ben notices a complete change in Ben’s focus and mentality [through] this rehab and how he assaulted it and messed around with everything,” Lee told The New York Post.

“And there’s a lot of belief that he’ll be able to get back to his All-Star form.”