NBA Analyst Ponders Lakers-Nets Trade Featuring Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Anthony Davis, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

The Brooklyn Nets’ season ended abruptly as they were swept out of the first round by the Boston Celtics. That means that they will be getting started on their NBA offseason much earlier than anyone within the organization thought that they would be.

Some big decisions will have to be made in the coming weeks and months. Atop that list is figuring out what to do with Kyrie Irving. He has said that he will be coming back so that he and Kevin Durant can figure things out with management. But, do the Nets want him back?

Committing five years and over $240 million to a player with the skill set of Irving is a no-brainer. But, there is a lot more that goes into it as Irving has missed a ton of playing time and has a tough personality to manage. He may not be worth all of the baggage that he brings along with him on and off the court.

Ben Simmons is another player that the Nets have to figure out what to do with. Simmons didn’t play in a game this season as he worked on his mental health and dealt with a herniated disk in his back. It looked as if Simmons would make his debut with the team in the first-round series against the Celtics, but his back pain was too much to overcome.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: These 3 Teams Should Monitor Nets’ Ben Simmons Trade Market

It was something that the Brooklyn Nets are taking his word for, but it did leave some people disappointed. Can Brooklyn count on Ben Simmons being a player that can help them win games? A trio of Durant, Irving, and Simmons would be a strong one to compete with, but there are so many variables that would all need to fall in favor of the Nets for it to go smoothly.

Is there a chance Simmons is traded? Over at The Ringer, some trade ideas were discussed. One of them involves the Los Angeles Lakers and swapping Klutch Sports clients. Could the Brooklyn Nets and Lakers work out a deal centered around Anthony Davis and Ben Simmons?

“Would Klutch want to flip Simmons to the Lakers for Anthony Davis? AD has his own injury concerns, but he’s still an elite defender who could shine next to perimeter-oriented scorers like Durant and Irving. Simmons spends most of his summers in Los Angeles, and Klutch has always envisioned him playing in a LeBron-like role. That’s not happening in Brooklyn, but in L.A. he could learn from the man himself.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: These 3 Teams Should Monitor Nets’ Ben Simmons Trade Market

It would be shocking to see the Los Angeles Lakers trade Anthony Davis for another player that cannot shoot the basketball in Ben Simmons. This offseason the Lakers should be focusing on adding as many floor spacers as possible around LeBron James, not the opposite.

If Los Angeles is going to part ways with Davis, it should be for a package that brings back multiple rotation pieces and draft picks to restock their cupboard. This deal with the Brooklyn Nets would do neither of those things.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: These 3 Teams Should Monitor Nets’ Ben Simmons Trade Market

From Brooklyn’s perspective, this deal would likely be a home run. Anthony Davis has his injury concerns, but when he is on the court he has proven to be an elite player. He would be an excellent third player in their Big 3 as someone that can impact the game as much defensively as he does offensively.

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