No one knows for sure what the Brooklyn Nets roster is going to look like once the NBA regular season rolls around in October. The team is involved in several trade rumors, headlined by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Durant requested a trade from the team ahead of free agency. Should the team find a deal that they like for him, an Irving trade may not be too far behind. One x-factor in all of these trade negotiations is Ben Simmons.
Since Simmons is a Designated Rookie, the pool of players that the Nets can acquire in a trade shrinks a little bit. Because of the Designated Rookie rule, the NBA has in place, teams can only have two such players on the roster. But, only one of those players can be traded for. Since Simmons qualifies for that, some players Brooklyn would have targeted in exchange for Durant are ineligible to be acquired.
Simmons could be involved in a trade to alleviate the issue, but at this time, a trade involving him seems unlikely. His value isn’t very high since he sat out the entire 2021-22 season and no one knows what he will give a team on the court right now.
LATEST NBA NEWS: 3 New Kyrie Irving Trades For Brooklyn Nets To Consider
One player that is confident in Simmons getting things back on track is Seth Curry. The sharpshooter has had his name mentioned in a few trades this offseason himself but believes there is one key to Simmons taking his game to the next level.
“He’s a multiple All-Stars right now for a reason,’’ he said. “If he can add knocking down free throws at a higher clip, it’s going to allow him to be unstoppable once he puts his head down.’’
There are a lot of people that have pointed to Ben Simmons’s jump shot, or lack thereof, as what is holding him back. His refusal to shoot the ball during the 2021 postseason is a big reason the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the postseason.
LATEST NBA NEWS: 3 New Kyrie Irving Trades For Brooklyn Nets To Consider
But, a total revamping of his game is likely unnecessary for him to have a major impact. As Curry pointed out, Simmons is already elite in some areas of the game, which provides plenty of positive results for his team.
“I don’t think he needs a jump shot,’’ he told News Corp. “He’s just got to do what he does best – which is defend, rebound, push the ball, make plays for other people and attack the rim. “When you’ve got the size and talent like him, who takes not one but two and sometimes three guys to stop him getting to the rim, that is a lot in itself.’’
Simmons is one of the most unique players in the NBA, standing 6’11” but possessing legitimate point guard skills. His defense is as versatile as anyone’s, as he can defend guards and players on the wing as effectively as he can slow down a big man in the post.
But, for whatever reason, the negatives are what people focus on the most when it comes to Ben Simmons. Changing his game is what people want to see, but Simmons brings enough to the table already to be a plus asset if he can stay on the court.
Latest NBA News: Brooklyn Nets
- Brooklyn Nets Declined Boston Celtics’ Kevin Durant Trade Offer
- 1 Trade Package For Each Main Linked Kevin Durant Trade Suitor
- Kevin Durant Trade To Celtics Is Now ‘Serious Possibility’
- This Nets-Raptors Trade Includes Kevin Durant To Toronto
For the latest surrounding the Brooklyn Nets, check out our NBA news and trade rumors feed.
