Jacque Vaughn highlights the significance of Ben Simmons' off-court presence for Brooklyn as his return looming

With Simmons soon set to make a return, his familiarity with the Nets stands important for HC Vaughn.

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Though it feels like an eternity since Ben Simmons graced the court for the Brooklyn Nets this season, head coach Jacque Vaughn still sees significance in the former All-Star's presence around the team.

On Sunday, Vaughn echoed the importance of Simmons' off-court availability to the Nets as this sets him up for his soon comeback and needed familiarity within their schemes.

“I think just being able to be around at shootaround, being able to be in the film [review Saturday]. All those things matter as he starts to transition his way to being back on the floor so that gap isn’t so huge for him,” Vaughn said.

“Whether it’s different plays that we’re running from last time that he was in, whether it’s different schemes that we were running, if you aren’t around that it can be a lot when he does return. So overall, just being able to be around the group and absorb some of that terminology and knowledge is best for us.”

What has been Ben's recovery status thus far?

Ben has joined Brooklyn's three-game road trip to the West Coast.

He hasn't played a game yet since Nov. 6 — missing the team's last 35 matches as he sustained a nerve impingement in his lower back. He only appeared for six games this season, averaging 6.5 points, 6.7 assists, and a career-high 10.8 boards while shooting 52.8 percent from the field.

It was announced recently that he was finally cleared for pre-game workouts, which may include five-on-five sessions, and his joining on Brooklyn's road trek is the only signal that his return is getting sooner.

No clear next step of recovery yet

Although there was a promising sign around Simmons' inclusion on the team's road trip, coach Vaughn remains uncertain about the next step in the swingman's ongoing recovery.

The Nets HC only noted that he can give clarification about Ben's progress as soon as they land back home and the 27-year-old’s condition gets assessed by the team.

“I’m not gonna give you a step-by-step. He’ll move on to that next step, which will be when we get home he’ll get examined again after this long five-hour flight and see how he responds to another week of basketball.”

The Nets fall apart in the fourth quarter in a crushing loss to the LA Clippers