"Bro will retire once he ain’t earning $40 million a year" - NBA fans ridicule Ben Simmons for contemplating retirement following back injury

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons revealed that he thought about quitting basketball and retiring following back surgery during the 2023-24 NBA season. The Nets guard appeared on Friday's episode of "The Young Man and The Three," where he revealed his thoughts about retirement because of injury.

Simmons was limited to 15 games last season due to a nerve impingement in his lower back. Because of his back issue, he was required to undergo a microscopic partial discectomy. The rehab process, the three-time All-Star said, wasn't easy, as it took a toll on him physically and mentally.

"Mentally it's so frustrating and draining," Simmons said (00:47). "There were times last summer where I was like, 'I don't know if I can do this, I might have to stop playing'.

However, fans ridiculed the Nets star on X (formerly Twitter) for sharing that he considered retirement.

"Bro will retire once he ain’t earning 40 million a year anymore," a fan criticized him for how he's performed in the past few seasons.

"Why retire when you can play half the time and collect all the checks?" another fan also commented on Simmons' $40 million salary this season.

"Loser should've retired but didn't so he could fleece all these dumba** teams," one fan commented.

Other fans suggested that Simmons should take retirement into serious consideration.

"Should probably listen to your body, bro...." one fan posted on X.

"Not to be a d**k but he should probably still be thinking this," another fan said.

"Self awareness is everything, he should do it though," a fan said.

For the 2024-25 season, Simmons is playing better and healthier. He's played 30 games this season, averaging 6.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists.

Ben Simmons had a heartfelt comment about Philadelphia 76ers fans

Ben Simmons didn't have the best exit from the Philadelphia 76ers. It started in the 2021 season when many fans thought Simmons didn't play hard enough against the Atlanta Hawks, causing them to lose the series. What followed was a lengthy drama between the 6-foot-10 guard and the organization that eventually led to him getting traded to Brooklyn.

Years later, Simmons had a moment of reflection and revealed in the podcast that he didn't get to appreciate Philly fans enough. According to the Australian native, he thinks the fans of the franchise are amazing and give out so much passion whenever they cheer for their team.

The one-time All-NBA player revealed that he's grateful for his time with the Sixers, despite the ugly breakup. He's now applying everything he learned from Philly to his current team, the Nets.