Brooklyn coach’s promising Ben Simmons update as fellow Australian Patty Mills traded again
The Nets’ prime two offseason targets — priorities 1A and 1B — had been re-signing Cam Johnson and getting Ben Simmons wholesome.
The first has been carried out, and head coach Jacque Vaughn sounds bullish on the second.
Simmons was shut down final season resulting from a nerve impingement in his unhealthy again.
The former All-Star managed to keep away from surgical procedure and had hoped to play for Australia within the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
But although he has pulled out of that event, he’s again on the court docket understanding, in fixed contact with the Nets and progressing towards a wholesome begin to coaching camp firstly of October.
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“We’ve had contact for sure. All of our guys have been locked-in, really keeping us informed. … I’m looking forward to a healthy Ben Simmons and coaching him,” Vaughn stated Friday, when he watched the Nets’ 101-97 Summer League loss to the Cavaliers.
“I’m not going to get into any dates or anything. My expectation is I look forward to coaching him healthy and our entire group being able to start the year together and go through training camp together. Those things are important for our group.”
Vaughn was coy when requested whether or not Simmons was doing full contact, 5-on-5, and when pressed for particulars of the 26-year-old’s progress.
He intimated Simmons lacking the World Cup was extra of a mutual choice to make sure he’s as near 100% as attainable for coaching camp.
“I’m not going to give you all that. He is on the court … no setbacks. I talked to him a day, two days ago. We’ll continue to see him [improve],” Vaughn stated. “I’m going to go with Ben’s statement. We always want to look forward to the athlete being in the right frame of mind, the right space to be on the floor.”
The Nets’ different prime precedence was locking up Johnson, a restricted free agent.
They re-signed him to a four-year extension earlier than he ever received a suggestion sheet from one other crew.
One participant that may now not be at Brooklyn this season is Patty Mills, with the Australian now traded thrice up to now 10 days.
Mills was initially moved from Brooklyn to Houston earlier than being re-routed to Oklahoma City and has now been traded from Oklahoma City to Atlanta, per ESPN.
ESPN reported the Hawks are buying and selling guard TyTy Washington Jr., forwards Usman Garuba and Rudy Gay and a future second-round decide to the Thunder for Mills.
It is a cost-cutting transfer for Atlanta, who save $4.5 million in wage whereas Oklahoma City shores up its future with one other draft decide.
There is each likelihood Mills could possibly be on the transfer once more although, along with his $6.8 million expiring contract to have worth in any future offers.
— with New York Post
