Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
To be clear, this would not be an easy deal for the Nets to make. It would require this organization to swallow a considerable amount of pride.
After all, the Nets acquired Simmons, along with a pair of first-round picks, for James Harden. In the aggregate, they’d have traded Harden for Rose, Fournier, Quickley, and three first-round picks – and that’s before you consider the draft capital they traded to the Houston Rockets to land Harden in the first place.
That’s fine. The Nets shouldn’t fall victim to a sunk cost fallacy – those deals are done. Moreover, they don’t have time to spend 2022-23 experimenting with Simmons. Figuring out how to use him on offense alongside Nic Claxton will require creativity and work.
Meanwhile, keeping Kevin Durant from issuing another trade request will require immediate results. The Nets would be better off with a deeper group than they would be keeping Simmons. Between Durant and Irving, they have enough firepower to contend. Role players who compliment them are essential, and this deal lands them three.
Rose can both back up and co-exist with Irving as an elite off-ball threat. Similarly, Fournier can space the floor for the stars and create his own shot when necessary.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets & New York Knicks Updates
Meanwhile, Toppin is a defensive forward who can replicate some of Simmons’ ability, while at least being a willing shooter who won’t expect the same ball-handling reps. Finally, after trading so many first-round picks to the Rockets, the Nets should be happy to recoup some draft capital here as well.
