One NBA writer is proposing that the Houston Rockets acquire point-forward Ben Simmons from the Brooklyn Nets.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed that the Rockets trade swingman Kevin Porter Jr. to the Nets for Simmons and three draft picks. Houston drafted Amen Thompson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, so Porter Jr. could be expendable.
“Simmons is due $37. 9 million this season and $40.3 million in 2024-25, a ridiculous amount if he’s never going to become a solid contributor again,” Hughes wrote. “But there’s a chance Simmons can return to All-Star form, and it’s one the Rockets should take—particularly because the downside is probably just one bad year and a hefty buyout in 2025, leaving them with three picks for their trouble.
Simmons was projected to be one of the faces of the NBA just a few years ago. He won the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year Award and made three All-Star teams, one All-NBA team and two All-Defensive teams with the Philadelphia 76ers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets & Houston Rockets Updates
However, Simmons never developed a jumper and he’s now considered one of the most overrated players in the league. The lefty missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a holdout with the Sixers and then a back injury with the Nets. Simmons played in just 42 games in 2022-23 with Brooklyn, averaging 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
In 317 NBA games, Simmons has made only five 3-pointers. The LSU product signed a massive five-year, $177.2 million maximum rookie contract extension with Philadelphia in 2019. Simmons, 26, will make $37.9 million next season, which is far too much money for a player who can’t shoot.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets & Houston Rockets Updates
It will be fascinating to see what happens with Simmons moving forward. Most Nets fans don’t want anything to do with Simmons.
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