East Notes: Nets, Ben Simmons, Wizards, Magic

Nets

• Guard/forward Ben Simmons said he hasn’t lost his passion for the game despite missing all of last season and struggling early in this one. ” “I love the game. Do I like all the bullsh*t around it? No,” he said, via Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “But I love the game and it comes with it. … It is what it is. I love playing basketball and I love to work. Not every day’s gonna be perfect. Everyone has down days; but that’s life.”
• In case you missed it, the suspension of point guard Kyrie Irving has lasted seven games. It seems like it will go at least eight. We have more on that right here.
• Also, while some chatter has hit the rumor mill, the Mavericks are not interested in a trade for Simmons, via Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Wizards

• Shooting guard Bradley Beal is available for Wednesday’s game after missing the last five after being in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, followed by conditioning, per Ava Wallace of the Washington Post.
• The Wizards have gone 4-1 in Beal’s absence, with two-way guard Jordan Goodwin filling in admirably, noted Bijan Todd of NBC Sports Washington.
• As we relayed recently, the Lakers are said to have an interest in Beal, but the Wizards don’t appear very open to trading him. You can check the full post here.

Magic

Rookie power forward Paolo Banchero is doing everything he can to return after missing the last three games with an ankle injury, coach Jamahl Mosley indicated.

“Obviously, he is not happy, understandably,” Mosley said, via Cody Taylor of Rookie Wire. “He wants to be out there with his teammates but he is doing everything we’re asking him to do in order to get back on the court. He is going to continue to do that.”

Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick, is averaging 23.5 points and 8.3 rebounds in his first 11 NBA games, giving the Magic hope that brighter days await.

• In case you missed it, shooting guard Gary Harris suggested he is closing in on a return himself. You can check out that full post here.