Question marks around Ben Simmons’ return to the floor for Brooklyn remain but Nets GM Sean Marks believes it will be “sooner rather than later”.
As vaccine mandates look set to be scrapped in the near future, paving the way for Kyrie Irving’s return, the Nets still have their best players on the sidelines, with the Australian and Kevin Durant expected to make their return ahead of the playoffs.
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The Nets hope their injury issues are almost over. Durant is nearing a return after missing a month with a sprained left knee ligament, although coach Steve Nash said he isn’t expecting the All-Star forward to be ready when they resume their season on Thursday (AEDT) against Boston.
Both players were on the court doing individual work this week, with Marks unable to put a timeline on when Brooklyn will field a near full strength line-up.
“All I can say is I left the gym right before coming over here and I [saw] those guys on the court doing their individual workouts,” Marks told a group of Nets season-ticket holders at Barclays Center.
“Depending when they go, we’ve got to see how they respond to days like [Tuesday], and we’ll go forward with this.
“It’s probably going to be tough, to be honest, to be playing in the next three or four days.
“But we’ll see how it all plays out.
“I’m certainly not going to bet against either one of those guys.”
It’s understood Simmons’ Nets debut “is going to be more like weeks rather than months” according to ESPN.
However, where he fits into the Nets team and how quickly he’ll be introduced into the action is still up in the air. Marks admitted there were still plenty of unknowns with what position Simmons will play.
“No secret: He’s an elite NBA basketball player. We’ve had our eyes on him for quite some time, truth be told. His versatility stands out, just what he can do on both ends of the court offensively and defensively. It’s how he fits with that group, what we need, where our holes are,” Marks continued.
“Ben, he can lead the break, a guy that can grab a defensive rebound and go, and everyone else can just fill the lane. I don’t know if he’s a point guard, I don’t know if he’s a 4-man, I don’t know if he’s a 5-man. But I do know he’s a hell of a basketball player. So we’re excited about him.”
The Nets embark on a three-game road trip that starts against the Celtics and ends on March 11 against the 76ers.
Simmons has said he hopes to be on court against his old team, although it’s questionable whether the Nets will take the risk so soon after his return to the court.
The Nets are in danger of falling out of the playoffs after going 4-13 since Durant’s MCL injury.
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