LAS VEGAS – The Nets’ two most vital off-season goals – Priorities 1A and 1B – are the re-signing of Cam Johnson and the recovery of Ben Simmons.
The first has been accomplished and head coach Jacque Vaughn sounds optimistic in regards to the second.
Simmons was shut down last season due to a nerve injury in his ailing spine.
The former All-Star avoided surgery and hoped to play for Australia within the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
But while he retired from that tournament, he returned to the court practicing, staying in constant contact with the Nets, and making progress towards a healthy start to training camp in early October.
“We definitely had contact. All our people have been locked up really informing us. …I’m looking forward to Ben Simmons being healthy and training him,” Vaughn said on Friday as he watched the Nets’ 101-97 Summer League defeat to the Cavaliers. “I’m not going to go on any dates or anything. I look forward to training him healthy and in order that our whole group can start the yr together and undergo training camp together. This stuff are essential to our group.”
![Jacque Vaughn is hoping for a healthy Ben Simmons at training camp.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000008959329.jpg?w=1024)
Vaughn was shy when asked if Simmons was in full touch, 5 out of 5, and when pressured to reveal details of the 26-year-old’s progress.
He made it clear that Simmons’ absence from the World Cup was more of a joint decision to ensure he was as close to 100% as possible in training camp.
“I won’t provide you with all this. He’s on the court… no mishaps. I spoke to him a day or two ago. We are going to proceed to see him [improve]Vaughn said. “I support Ben’s statement. We at all times want to hope that the athlete will be in a very good mood, in the suitable space on the court.”
One other priority for the Nets was to shut down Johnson, a restricted free agent.
They re-signed him on a four-year extension before he ever received a suggestion from one other team.
![Jacque Vaughn](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Jacque-Vaughn.jpg?w=1024)
“Yeah, feeling really good,” Vaughn said of Johnson’s detention. “Overall, a tremendous man who can be good at basketball. So this mixture for our franchise is moving forward at the age he’s, I believe he’s just going to keep improving, he’s still going to be an awesome teammate. It’s really fortunate that we as a corporation move forward with him.”
While Simmons will miss the World Cup, each Johnson and Mikal Bridges – best friends who were acquired by the Suns within the Kevin Durant trade – will be fit for the USA team.
And Vaughn saw tangible value in it.
“Yeah, great,” Vaughn said. “I believe that is great. We wish our boys to play more within the off-season. I believe that is something I like to strive for. Most guys have their very own personal trainers they usually spend an enormous period of time alone. Seeing teammates within the off-season has something to do with team composition.
“Cam and Mikal have a probability to compete and play at a high level within the off-season. I believe it’s going to give them tremendous confidence, leadership, they’ll see other really good guys around them, participating, diving into their very own future. So I believe it’s great that they are playing.”