One NBA writer is proposing that the Dallas Mavericks acquire Ben Simmons from the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster trade. Lee Tran of Fadeaway World proposed that the Mavericks trade Tim Hardaway Jr. and Christian Wood to the Nets for Simmons.
“This deal could potentially end up working out well for both teams,” Tran wrote. “The Mavericks would essentially be taking a flyer on Simmons to try and improve their defense and overall talent level. Even if things don’t work out, his contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, so they can possibly trade him later on to a team that wants salary relief.
“As for the Nets, they would end up improving their roster overall and becoming a more well-rounded team. At this point, the team’s goal should be to try and move Simmons in a win-now move, and this deal accomplishes that.”
Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, told Sirus XM NBA Radio on July 27 that his client is 100% healthy. Simmons only appeared in 42 games last season due to knee and back issues. He averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Dallas Mavericks & Brooklyn Nets Updates
The Nets acquired Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers in the blockbuster James Harden trade. Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 NBA season due to a holdout and back injury. He was projected to be one of the faces of the NBA just a few years ago after winning the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year Award and making three All-Star teams, one All-NBA team and two All-Defensive teams with the Sixers.
However, Simmons never developed a jumper and he’s now considered one of the most overrated players in the NBA. In 317 games with the Sixers and Nets, 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, 27, will make $37.9 million next season.
Simmons has received credit for a year of service for the 2021-22 season, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN. The lefty now has seven official years of service in the NBA despite not playing a single game in 2021-22.
The first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons has career averages of 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists. It will be fascinating to see how he plays next season for whichever team he’s on.
NBA reporter Marc J. Spears of ESPN spoke to someone close to Simmons and the source said Simmons “is as healthy as he has ever been” since his final season with the Sixers, which was in 2020-21.
“I would say he’s in the final stage of prep for the season and he has passed every benchmark and is as healthy as he has ever been since his last year in Philly,” the source close to Simmons told Spears. “Brooklyn has been incredibly supportive and the plan is for him to be the Nets’ point guard and primary ballhandler this coming season. The expectation is he will fully resume his career at the level he has [played at] prior to leaving Philadelphia.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Dallas Mavericks & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Simmons played with Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving on the Nets last season. It will be interesting to see if Dallas has any interest in acquiring Simmons.
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