Nets Head Coach Jacque Vaughn Gives Update On Ben Simmons' Status
Since being traded to the Brooklyn Nets from the Philadelphia 76ers last season, Ben Simmons has played in just 42 games and he has really struggled in said games, averaging just 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game game.
When available, Simmons is still an above-average defender, but he has had trouble remaining on the floor for the Nets and he has not played in a game since February 15 due to ongoing knee and back issues.
On Sunday, the Nets defeated the Denver Nuggets on the road and head coach Jacque Vaughn was asked about whether or not Simmons would be returning this season.
“Yeah, I think first of all I’ll just be pretty simple. He’s still managing his back and knee soreness,” Vaughn said cryptically, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “He’s back home in Brooklyn. We’ll get a chance to kind of see where he’s at when we get back home after this trip.”
Prior to the All-Star break, Simmons had fluid drained from his knee and received a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection, but it does not seem either small procedure has fixed his issues.
Ben Simmons continues to be a major question mark for the Nets and now, it seems like his status for the remainder of this season is up-in-the-air according to Vaughn’s comments.
Trading away Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, Brooklyn seems to be entering a new era, which will result in them having to make a big decision on Ben Simmons and his contract.
Entering the offseason, Simmons will still have two years left on his current deal and he is set to make over $78 million through the 2024-25 season. His contract is one of the most unfavorable deals in the league right now and there is little to no interest around the NBA in him, as the Nets would likely have to attach assets to any offseason trade to unload Simmons’ contract.
The Brooklyn Nets currently find themselves 39-29 on the season with 14 games remaining. No word has been given by the Nets on whether or not Simmons will play in any of these remaining 14 games.
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