Ben Simmons hasn’t played since November 6, but the Nets remain optimistic he’ll be able to return at some point this season, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Simmons accompanied the team on its West Coast trip that wrapped up Sunday, and coach Jacque Vaughn said there were benefits to having him involved.
“I think just being able to be around at shootaround, being able to be in the film [review Saturday]. All those things matter as he starts to transition his way to being back on the floor, so that gap isn’t so huge for him,” Vaughn said. “Whether it’s different plays that we’re running from last time that he was in, whether it’s different schemes that we were running, if you aren’t around that it can be a lot when he does return. So overall just being able to be around the group and absorb some of that terminology and knowledge is best for us.”
Simmons has been limited to six games because of a back impingement, but the Nets are hoping it’s not another lost season for the former No. 1 overall pick, who has only been healthy for 48 total games since he was acquired nearly two years ago. Simmons’ agent said recently that he’s in the home stretch of his recovery, but Vaughn refused to speculate on when he might be available.
“I’m not gonna give you a step-by-step,” he said. “He’ll move on to that next step, which will be when we get home he’ll get examined again after this long five-hour flight and see how he responds to another week of basketball.”
There’s more on the Nets:
- Trade speculation continues to surround Spencer Dinwiddie, who has broken out of his slump as the deadline nears, Lewis adds. The veteran guard posted 16 points and seven assists on Sunday and is averaging 18 points and six assists over the last three games. Lewis notes that Dinwiddie is believed to be willing to sign an extension with Brooklyn, but his $18.9MM expiring contract is useful if the team gets an opportunity to upgrade its roster.
- Cam Thomas continues to be a dangerous weapon coming off the bench, but he admits that it’s easier to establish consistency on offense as a starter, Lewis notes in a separate story. Vaughn recently switched his starting lineup, opting for more size while moving Thomas to a sixth-man role. “Maybe it’ll change soon. I get back in the lineup, then you can see more consistency from me in the scoring part,” Thomas said. “But I’ve just got to do my job, man. Whatever he wants me to do. He wants me to come out of the bench, I’ve got to do that. If he wants me back starting, I’m more than open to do it. But it’s kind of tough, but I’ve just got to do my job.”
- In a subscriber-only article, C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News looks at how Dennis Smith Jr. has evolved into a team leader since signing with Brooklyn last summer.
No one actually believes Simmons is coming back right? How could anyone even say any of that with a straight face? Vaughan trying to get on Broadway or something?
I hope he proves you wrong
Me too …
Vaughn is just playing the PR game. if he publicly ridiculed Simmons, he would probably use the mental break excuse again. I don’t know what he does for the community off the court, but I hope its a lot because on the court he comes off as a pretentious queen.
Unless Simmons has a microdiscectomy or similar procedure, he isn’t going to fully heal. You can mitigate the pain with physiotherapy and whatnot, but you will always be a shell of yourself. I tried avoiding surgery for this same thing myself for years, but I’m finally going under the knife in a couple weeks.
Wouldn’t mind Dinwiddie on Knicks. He loves playing at MSG. Definitely can handle PG or SG.
Spencer wants a long-term contract. As long as he embraces a backup role, whatever team trades for him should give him one.
I don’t see the Hawks wanting him in exchange for Dejounte Murray, but if that trade comes to fruition, there’s nobody better on the knicks you can send to appease Brooklyn
He could work. I like Spencer. Brown, Spencer, DeRozan or Keldon Johnson. I think Keldon Johnson is the best choice. Evan Fournier and a 1st
Cam Thomas should start over Spencer Dinwiddie. Too much is overblown when it comes to talking about the responsibilities of a Point-Guard. The man is 6’1″ tall. Let him learn what it takes to play and defend at that position.
Once the Nets trade for Dejounte Murray, I hope, Cam’s 6th Man role will be set
I can see the Nets keeping Dorian Finney-Smith past the deadline because of his veteran leadership. Dinwiddie and two 1st Round Picks for Dejounte Murray needs to happen TODAY!
If the Nets are serious about playing meaningful games in the postseason, they better acquire Wendell Carter, Jr.
Royce O’Neale and a 2nd Round Pick for Wendell Carter, Jr should suffice
Carter would be a nice pickup ….
Still believe in you Dennis Smith
BKN has said as recently as last week that they intend to be buyers at the deadline. Of course, that doesn’t mean they won’t trade Dinwiddie to upgrade the PG spot. BKN has no reason to tank (with HOU owning their FRP), so a trade for Murray might be worth it, but in that case Dinwiddie will probably be needed in that trade.
I don’t buy Murray as a SG. But BKN acquiring him to play PG next to Bridges, I do like; it seems like a great foundation for the next 5-7 years. ATL wants picks; BKN doesn’t have much in the way of their own FRPs, but they have 2025 and 2027 PHX picks, unprotected, which should satisfy ATL even with less of a player return.
Nets need to move that 14.8 PER and -2.9 BPM, -0.2 VORP (Cam Thomas) as some kind of sweetener in dumping Ben Simmons.
Can’t wait til next summer and more Ben Simmons workout hype videos and hear all the excuse makers try and convince everyone that he is really going to play this time.
Why the Nets board doesn’t have a Knicks vs Nets story yet. Is slower than a Sloth lols.
Mikal Bridges wasn’t pleased with the crowd at Barclays Center following the Brooklyn Nets’ 108-103 loss to the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
“It’s not fun when you feel like you’re in an away game at home,” he said of the “let’s go Knicks” chants that echoed throughout the stadium, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “That’s for any person sitting in here, any person alive; it’s not fun.”
This will never change. Until Nets win something. And consistently kick the Knicks ares. Complaining is just crying.
Nets have the pieces to build a nice team. Just do it ……
I’m a life long Knick fan. But Dr J is my favorite NY player ever ….. just win baby