The calendar has flipped to September, meaning the upcoming NBA season is only a month away. And just as common as the fall leaves changing colors, Simmons' offseason workout pictures and videos are starting to tease the former All-Star's bounce-back potential.
All was quiet on the Simmons front for most of the summer. There were no viral videos of him knocking down 3-pointers, coaxing fans into believing he has addressed the biggest flaw in his game.
Famous basketball trainer Chris Brickley filled that void to a degree on Monday, posting pictures of Simmons working out at his signature LifeTime gym in New York.
The caption, "@bensimmons is back to playing All Star talent level basketball. Big season loading," had the internet collectively rolling its eyes while sparking interest in Simmons' availability to start the season.
MORE: The history of Ben Simmons' infamous workout videos
Simmons only played 15 games in 2023-24 before being ruled out for the year with a lower back injury.
He underwent a "microscopic partial discectomy surgery" in March, hoping to repair the nerve issue that kept him on the sidelines. The surgery was expected to have him ready for the start of training camp -- and Simmons is on pace with that timeline.
Simmons has officially been cleared for 5-on-5 action, the New York Post's Brian Lewis reported on Sept. 7. One week later, "NetsDaily" took that report a step further.
"He's been playing five-on-five for several weeks. It's not just that he's been cleared for five-on-five. He's been playing five-on-five... If you look last year, that was not the case. He's more advanced now than he was then."
It appears that Simmons is further along in his rehab than expected, which means he should be available to start the 2024-25 season.
MORE: Ben Simmons injury timeline
Although limited to just 15 games, Simmons is coming off the worst statistical season of his eight-year tenure in the NBA. He averaged career lows of 6.1 points, 5.7 assists and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 40.0 percent from the free-throw line.
The Nets are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league after trading star forward Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for a haul of future assets, highlighted by four unprotected first-round picks.
Simmons won't be expected to be Brooklyn's saving grace, but any signs of his former All-Star potential could turn him into an intriguing trade piece for a team that is in a complete rebuild.
Simmons is entering the final season of the five-year, $177.2 million extension he signed with the 76ers in 2019.
Simmons will earn $40.3 million this season, making him the 27th-highest paid player in the NBA in 2024-25. He will make more than Ja Morant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum, to name a few stars.
Simmons is set to be an unrestricted free agent in the 2025 offseason.