Ben Simmons has been through a rough 12 months and hasn’t played in an NBA game since his former side the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated from the 2021 playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks.

The 26-year-old’s hiatus from the NBA has largely been due to a contractual dispute with the 76era that saw him traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

However, Simmons was diagnosed with a herniated disk and is yet to make his debut for Steve Nash’s team.

Simmons was traded to the Nets alongside Seth Curry who has recently spoken about his teammate to The Sydney Morning Herald ahead of a promotional tour of Sydney and Melbourne for Foot Locker.

“There are always challenges,” said Curry.

“Foremost, he [Simmons] has missed a whole season.

“It is going to be a challenge getting his rhythm back playing basketball.

“I don’t know specifically what he has been through, mentally – that’s hard for me to comment on – but having that year off, having that time off, of competing and playing five-on-five basketball is going to be just as hard.”

The Nets severely underperformed in 2022 finishing in the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed and were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

Not too long ago the Nets were considered a potential dynasty when they signed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving during 2019’s free agency period.

Since acquiring their stars the Nets best finish has been the second seed in 2021 where they were defeated by eventual champions the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in a seven-game series.

A fully fit Simmons could be key in the Nets push to finally win a Championship as the former first-round pick is a former rookie of the year and three-time All-Star that is yet to be a part of a team that has missed the playoffs when he has been available to play.

The Nets are one of the favourites to take out the Eastern Conference Championship in 2023 but punters are not as confident in their ability to go all the way next season with the Celtics, Bucks, Warriors and Clippers receiving the backing of many.