Ben Simmons says he has “no idea” what his role is with Brooklyn as Nets coach Jacques Vaughn admits he’s struggling to find time on the court for the three-time All Star.
Simmons played the least amount of court time he has seen all year while fit and scored just two points in 13 minutes in a loss to the New York Knicks on Tuesday (AEDT).
Simmons is in the middle of a $253 million contract which pays him a touch above $50 million a year but finds himself coming off the bench, with his playing time decreasing for the fourth straight game.
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Speaking before the Knicks game, Simmons said he had “no idea” what his role with the team is moving forward, while confirming he’s ready to play after ongoing struggles with back and knee injuries.
“Everything’s been changing all year, so it’s hard to really understand what’s going on, but hopefully we find some rhythm and consistency,” Simmons said.
“Whatever the team needs from us to win, I’m willing to do that.”
Vaughn said dialogue with Simmons had been open and honest, even though he may not like the message. But Vaughn stressed all decisions are “based around doing what’s best for the team”.
“We’re going to have to squash our personal agendas and our personal approach of minutes and time in the game in order for this group to do it collectively together,” he said.
“You might not like the message, anyone that I give the message to. But 10-15 years from now, you’ll know that I was honest and upfront with you.”
After the game, a frustrated Vaughn explained in finer detail the challenges around playing Simmons.
“Trying to figure out what line-up fits around Ben, what position fits for Ben, how we can make him look good at every opportunity — that’s the goal. I’m still trying to figure that out,” Vaughn said.
“You put another big next to Ben and then you’ve got to figure out what the spacing is around it. Then if you put a playmaker next to him, then you’ve got to figure out what Ben looks like without the basketball. Then if you go small with Ben, then you’ve got to figure out if you can rebound.
“The challenges are ahead of us. We’ll look at them head on, we’ll figure it out — we have the personnel to figure it out.”
With the trade deadline gone the Nets and Simmons are stuck with each other and will have to try and make it work.
The Nets are on the fringe of the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference but don’t pose a realistic threat to Boston, Milwaukee, Philadelphia or Cleveland, if they make the first round of the playoffs.
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