Since Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, NBA trade rumors involving him have dominated the headlines. Kyrie Irving’s name has also been mentioned plenty, as trades involving the duo could reshape the landscape of the league.
However, there is another former All-Star on the roster that is yet to reach his prime in Ben Simmons. Simmons was acquired by the Nets in the James Harden blockbuster ahead of the trade deadline but has yet to appear in a game for the Nets.
Simmons dealt with some mental health issues and a back injury that kept him sidelined for the entire 2021-22 season. Turning only 26 later in July, there is certainly plenty of time for him to get his once-promising career back on track. The question is, will that come with the Nets or another team?
It has been reported that Simmons is unlikely to be traded by the Nets during the offseason, but that very well could be a decision out of their hands.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS Odds Revealed Of Brooklyn Nets Trading Ben Simmons
As shared during a segment on ESPN between Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst, Simmons isn’t viewed as a positive asset around the league.
“There is a debate in the NBA right now about whether Ben Simmons with $100 million left on his contract coming off of back surgery is a valued asset or a distressed asset.”
There is certainly a lot working in Simmons’ favor, as he is an elite playmaker with the ability to defend every position on the court. However, his lack of confidence on offense shooting the ball is concerning, as we have seen how much it can cripple a team during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers.
He also just missed an entire season of action, so it is anyone’s guess what he will bring to the court upon his return. Have the mental blocks holding him back been alleviated, allowing him to once again work toward reaching his potential? Or will he be in and out of the lineup trying to work through whatever it is that is ailing him?
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS Odds Revealed Of Brooklyn Nets Trading Ben Simmons
The uncertainty surrounding him certainly outweighs the positives, which is likely why Simmons is viewed as a distressed asset. However, since he is a Designated Rookie, the Nets could have to get aggressive in trading him, as having him on the roster could keep them from receiving the kind of package they are hoping to land in exchange for Durant.
