In a recent interview, Brooklyn Nets coach Jacque Vaughn expressed his excitement about the lineup permutations he will be able to try once Cam Johnson is healthy. However, he has already had the opportunity to observe Ben Simmons and Spencer Dinwiddie playing together, and he seems to be pleased with what he has seen so far. Vaughn commented on the competitiveness of the scrimmages and mentioned that he has been grouping Dennis Smith Jr., Cam Thomas, and Dorian Finney-Smith together to form an identity with Day'Ron Sharpe. He is eager to see different lineups in action and determine the strengths of each combination.

The first few days of training camp have provided some insight into what the Nets will look like in their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. Simmons has been playing as the point guard, with Dinwiddie shifting to an off-ball role. Vaughn believes that utilizing their skills in this way can give the team an advantage, as Dinwiddie is a capable ball handler and shooter, while Simmons excels at creating shots for his teammates with his fast pace of play. Lonnie Walker IV has praised the chemistry between Simmons and Dinwiddie, noting their strong communication and ability to find each other on the court.

Unfortunately, Cam Johnson is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, preventing Vaughn from seeing how he fits with the other players. Johnson, who started last season after joining the team alongside Mikal Bridges, traveled with the Nets but will not be able to play. Additionally, rookie Dariq Whitehead is still rehabbing from foot surgery and will also be out of action. Despite their absence on the court, Vaughn mentioned that they are still involved in other aspects of the team's activities.

In a surprising twist, Vaughn and several players will be attending Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces, showing their support for the Liberty. Nets owner Joe Tsai, who also owns the Liberty, expressed his excitement about the team's success and the energy they have brought to the city.

Regarding the Nets' preseason opener, Vaughn admitted that he has not yet finalized the team's lineup. However, he emphasized that performance will determine playing time, and Simmons has the opportunity to earn his spot if he performs consistently at a high level. Vaughn has been impressed with Simmons' ability to push the ball up the court, play with pace, and attack the rim with force. He believes that Simmons is finally showcasing the skills that the team was looking for last year but were hindered by his previous injuries.

Dorian Finney-Smith, who has been matching up against Simmons in practice, spoke highly of the 6'10" player, praising his speed and agility. Finney-Smith mentioned that Simmons made some impressive moves during their practice session.

In other news, Cam Johnson and Dariq Whitehead will not be available for the Nets' first preseason game due to their respective injuries. As the team practices in Las Vegas, Vaughn and some players plan to watch Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Liberty and the Aces, as both teams share the Barclays Center as their home arena. The Nets also announced the signing of guards Kameron Hankerson and Trey McGowens to their training camp roster. Hankerson and McGowens were both part of the Nets' G-League team last season.