Ben Simmons admits he ‘has no idea’ about role with the Nets as Brooklyn coach warns of ‘challenges’

Australian NBA star Ben Simmons has admitted he has “no idea” what his role is after the Brooklyn Nets underwent a drastic roster overhaul.

Before the game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday (AEDT), the 25-year-old admitted his situation was “frustrating” after his minutes on the court decreased in the previous three outings.

“Everything has been changing all year, so it’s hard to really understand what’s going on, but hopefully we’ll find some rhythm and consistency,” he said.

‘Is different. it’s a different experience [coming off the bench]. So whatever the team needs from us to win, I’m willing to do it.”

The Nets acquired Simmons in February last year from the 76ers as part of a blockbuster trade that brought James Harden to Philadelphia, but the Australian’s spell in New York has been plagued by problems.

Ben Simmons has admitted that he ‘has no idea’ what his role is in the Brooklyn Nets

The Australian finished with just two points in a 124-106 loss to the Knicks on Tuesday.

Simmons missed all of last season due to mental health and back problems that required surgery, before finally making his debut for the Nets in October.

The optimism that Simmons displayed when he proclaimed that Brooklyn is “going to be scary” for the rest of the NBA when he joined Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving quickly evaporated as he struggled to make an impact.

To make matters worse, the Nets traded the two superstars last week, with Durant moving to Phoenix and Irving traded to Dallas.

Brooklyn coach Jacque Vaughn acknowledged that the roster revision meant Simmons might have to accept a smaller role on the team.

Simmons (left), Kyrie Irving (center) and Kevin Durant (right) hoped to bring a title to Brooklyn

But both Irving and Durant left the Nets last week in blockbuster trade moves.

“Trying to figure out what lineup fits Ben, what position fits Ben, how can we make him look good at every opportunity, that’s the goal,” he said after the Nets lost 124-106 to the Knicks.

‘I’m still trying to figure it out. […] The challenges are ahead. We’ll look them in the face, we’ll figure it out, we’ve got the people to figure it out.’

Simmons finished with two points in just 13 minutes on the court Tuesday, the fewest he’s played all season, as the Nets suffered a second straight loss.

The Australian, who is owed $50 million in 2023 and $112 million over the next two years, is averaging a career-low seven points in 26 minutes on the court so far this season.

Nets coach Jacque Vaughn admitted that he was struggling to find a defined role for Simmons.

Before the loss to the Knicks, he played just 16 minutes in Brooklyn’s loss against Philadelphia on Saturday and admitted that the lack of a defined role on the team was frustrating.

“I think it’s a bit frustrating trying to find some rhythm and consistency, but that’s what it is at the moment,” he said.

“Guys have been in and out due to injuries, trades, so there have been a lot of different things that play into this. Hopefully now we stretch out a bit and can find some rhythm and consistency.”

The Nets sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, 6.5 games ahead of the 10th-ranked Washington Wizards, who currently occupy the last of four spots for teams participating in the play-in tournament. to qualify for the playoffs.