One NBA writer is proposing that the Toronto Raptors acquire Ben Simmons from the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade between the Raptors and Nets:
Brooklyn Nets receive: Pascal Siakam
Toronto Raptors receive: Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, 2027 first-round pick (top-eight protected, via PHI) and 2029 first-round pick (via DAL)
“But the wild card that is Ben Simmons could give the Raptors a boost as soon as this season,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Spacing would get clogged with the three-time All-Star and Scottie Barnes together, but each is a legitimate playmaker with five-position versatility on defense. Toronto could put almost any kind of supporting cast it wanted around that combo, so long as it found enough shooting for the pair to breathe.”
ESPN NBA analyst Mark Jones saw and spoke with Simmons on August 16. According to Jones, Simmons is in fantastic shape and could be primed to have a terrific 2023-24 season.
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.
The Nets acquired Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers in the blockbuster James Harden trade during the 2021-22 NBA season. Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Toronto Raptors & Brooklyn Nets Updates
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 the Nets.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Toronto Raptors & Brooklyn Nets Updates
“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.”
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