Ben Simmons situation becoming 'distraction' for Nets, retired NBA champ says

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Ben Simmons’ availability for the Brooklyn Nets’ NBA postseason run is in question.

Simmons has not played at all during the 2021-22 season. After his falling out with the Philadelphia 76ers, he was traded to the Nets with Seth Curry and Andre Drummond in February for James Harden, with hopes of Simmons being able to play toward the end of the regular season or postseason.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the Utah Jazz game at Barclays Center on March 21, 2022, in New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

But that has yet to happen and while reports indicate Simmons could return for a game later in the series against the Boston Celtics, head coach Steve Nash said there is a chance he plays and a chance he doesn’t play.

Kendrick Perkins, who played on the Celtics during their 2008 NBA title run and is currently an analyst on ESPN, said Friday the Nets should shut Simmons down.

"No, they shouldn’t. I think they should shut Ben Simmons down for the rest of the season. This is becoming a distraction. You’re in the most crucial part of the season. You have to get ready to go against a helluva squad in the Boston Celtics and you’re worried about if Ben Simmons is gonna return or not. He hasn’t played since last June," Perkins said. "What do people not realize with that?"

DRAYMOND GREEN SAYS THE 2016 WARRIORS WERE THE ‘BEST TEAM EVER’ DESPITE LOSING IN THE FINALS

Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets watches the Cleveland Cavaliers game during the 2022 Play-In Tournament on April 12, 2022, in New York. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The former center said there’s no chance