The Brooklyn Nets reportedly have no plans to buy out the final year of Ben Simmons’ contract and are expecting him to be on their roster next season.

Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported there has been “no indication” within the Nets organization that the team is even considering a buyout. Simmons is set to make $40.3 million next season as he wraps up a five-year, $177.2 million deal that ranks among the worst in NBA history.

There wouldn’t be much sense in buying out Simmons’ contract at this point, aside from potentially saving ownership a couple of million dollars. The Nets are in no danger of reaching the luxury tax threshold, and Simmons’ $40.3 million salary could have some value for matching purposes if the Nets make a move for a star.

Simmons has played in just 57 games for the Nets since being traded to Brooklyn midway through the 2021-22 season. He was limited to 15 appearances in 2023-24 before a back injury put him on the shelf.

In March, Simmons underwent a microscopic partial discectomy of his back to hopefully alleviate a nerve impingement. He’s expected to be able to play next season, but that was the team’s thought going into the previous two years.

When Simmons has been on the floor, he’s been a shell of his former All-Star self. He averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 58.1 percent from the floor this season.

The Nets have little recourse but to play Simmons and hope for the best next season, but given his current trajectory, he’s much closer to being out of the league than he is to recapturing his former greatness.