NBA Notes: Ben Simmons, Nets, Nuggets, Russell Westbrook, Jazz

Nets

Nets guard and former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons has been cleared for training camp following offseason back surgery, his agent said.

It’s been a while now since Simmons has been a major contributor, but he and the Nets are hoping that changes this season. While the Nets are in rebuild mode, the feeling is this is sort of Simmons’ last chance to prove he can still make a difference.

“We wanna play fast. He’s still one of the best play-makers to be able to do that,” Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said, via Erik Slater of Clutch Points. “If you can play fast, touch the paint, move the ball, reverse the ball, all that stuff, Ben really fits all that. Now, are playing like this because of Ben? No. We’re playing like that because that’s the style of play we want for our team.”

• Meanwhile, new swingman Bojan Bogdanovic will miss the start of camp after surgeries on his left foot and wrist, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. He was acquired as part of the Mikal Bridges trade with the Knicks.

Nuggets

Coach Michael Malone, for one, is thrilled with the arrival of veteran guard Russell Westbrook, who’s expected to add some much-needed depth.

“He has a competitive, ‘I’m going to get in your s–t’ mindset that I love,” Malone said, via Ryan McFadden of the Denver Post. “… I think he’s going to help individual players achieve their potential and push them to be the best they can be. I love guys (who) bring it every single night, and that’s what he has done.”

Westbrook is now a 16-year veteran who can not only help push the pace but act as a coach on the court. Denver will need a little of all of that.

Jazz

The Jazz have exercised the fifth-year option on the contract of coach Will Hardy, per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.

The Jazz historically do not fire coaches, so this move really comes as no surprise.

“Will has done a great job of guiding our program and instilling the right values and competitive habits with our young group,” GM Justin Zanik said in a statement. “The organization looks forward to developing with Will as we strive for long-term success through strategic and deliberate growth.”