1. Ben Simmons
There likely isn’t a player in the NBA that was hoping to get traded more than Ben Simmons ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. Simmons requested a trade during the summer and dug his feet in until he got it.
While some of the tactics involved may not have rubbed some people the right way, Simmons should be commended for sticking to his guns and not wavering in what he wanted. He took all of the criticism and bashing and it paid off.
Finally, he got his wish as he has been traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Many of the teams that had been linked to Simmons were middling teams that still need work to become contenders. The Nets are looking to win a title right away and Simmons will help in that pursuit.
On paper, he is a great fit for this Nets roster. They have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to carry the scoring load, which will enable Simmons to focus on his strengths. As an elite defender, playmaker and rebounder, Simmons will thrive as those are all areas the Nets need help in.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Emerging Names To Watch As NBA Buyout Candidates
Debates will rage on about how Simmons and Daryl Morey handled things, but at the end of the day, both sides got what they wanted and the saga is now over with everyone moving on.
