‘What the f**k does that mean?’: Nets’ Ben ‘frustration’ revealed as KD breaks silence on trade move

Where to right here for the Brooklyn Nets after their most damning lack of the season?

Just when their marketing campaign was transferring in the correct path, the Nets have been crushed by the Sacramento Kings 153-121 on Wednesday (all instances AEDT) to fall to 6-9

The 153 factors are most allowed by the Nets in franchise historical past and essentially the most the Kings have scored in 29 years in a historic smashing.

Watch a median of 9 LIVE NBA Regular Season video games per week on ESPN on Kayo Sports on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Ben Simmons got here off the bench but once more and performed significantly better in his new back-up centre position, scoring a season-high 11 factors – essentially the most factors he’s scored since June 14, 2021 – to go together with 5 rebounds and three assists.

But regardless of the Aussie making a step in the correct path offensively, it was a significantly ugly contest for Jacque Vaughn’s aspect general the place there weren’t many positives because the newly appointed coach continues to seek for successful rotations and formulation.

Simmons, who’s the third highest paid participant on the Nets at $35 million, has been restricted to 10 video games this season in his return as he battles via a knee difficulty, whereas his struggles when he’s been out there have been nicely documented – averaging profession lows throughout the board (5.8 factors per sport, 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists in 26.6 minutes).

And now, The Athletic experiences there stays “scepticism” throughout the Nets organisation concerning the 26-year outdated’s general influence.

“According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation, the frustration surrounding Simmons had been building in recent weeks within the organisation. The coaching staff and players have been concerned about his availability and level of play, with some questioning his passion for the game, those sources said. But even when he did play, Simmons’ struggles in his first nine games this season were part of the Nets frustration as well,” the report states.

Simmons underwent again surgical procedure in May that held him out of the tip of final season after being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers, whereas he lately had his left knee drained as a consequence of fluid.

Speaking to The Athletic, the previous Pick 1 opened up on the criticism he’s acquired, however emphasised how a lot his knee harm has been bothering him.

“You’re obviously not gonna be happy when anybody’s out,” Simmons informed The Athletic. “But for me, I’ve been dealing with the knee since the start of the season. It’s been swollen. I had PRP (injections). I had blood drained a couple times. So it’s not a made up thing, you know? It’s a real thing.

“I get (the scepticism), but I think the one thing with me is that I’m a competitor. I want to win and play. So I’m gonna do what I can to get out there.”

Simmons isn’t any stranger to such scrutiny after sitting out all of final season following his commerce standoff with the Sixers together with the Aussie batlting psychological well being points.

But Simmons conceded there’s “only so much I can really do” about notion.

“You can’t make people believe, you know? They weren’t there when I was on the floor and couldn’t walk (because of his back),” he mentioned.

“They weren’t there when I was in the ambulance getting taken to the hospital (after a February 2020 game at Milwaukee). People weren’t there, so they don’t know. That was the first episode I had against Milwaukee. That was the original trigger of it … right before Covid, the start of my back issues.

“But that’s a part of my journey. There’s times when I couldn’t walk. I had a dead foot. Couldn’t sleep. A lot of stuff was going on with me, physically, to where it was tough. But there’s only so much I can say for somebody to believe, you know?”

The Athletic experiences frustrations in the direction of Simmons first emerged after the Nets’ October 30 loss to the Pacers the place they held a players-only which means post-match.

It’s believed veteran Markieff Morris addressed the necessity for Simmons to be at his finest and reply when he faces adversity on the courtroom – calls Simmons reportedly responded nicely to.

Brooklyn is now determined to show its season round that’s been marred with chaos amid the current departure of coach Steve Nash and Kyrie Irving’s indefinite suspension.

With Irving out and Simmons’ transfer to the bench, the Nets have $72 million of their payroll out of the beginning line-up because the likes of Royce O’Neale and Edmond Sumner have stepped in.

Meanwhile, Kevin Durant continues to carry out at an elite stage, averaging 30.3 factors per sport, 6.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists with a career-best 1.9 blocks advert taking pictures a career-best 92.8 per cent from the free throw line.

The former MVP has been one thing of a one-man present for the Nets this season along with his two co-stars out and in of the aspect for various causes.

It comes after Durant requested a commerce in the course of the low season earlier than ultimately returning to the staff and making peace.

However Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynesexperiences rival executives are monitoring the 34-year outdated in hopes of one other commerce request amid the staff’s dysfunction.