One NBA writer is proposing that the Portland Trail Blazers trade for Brooklyn Nets stars Ben Simmons and Spencer Dinwiddie in a blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Blazers and Nets:
Trade idea: Brooklyn Nets trade Ben Simmons, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dariq Whitehead, Noah Clowney, 2027 first-round pick (top-eight protected, via PHI) and 2029 first-round pick to Portland Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic
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. Meanwhile, Dinwiddie played for the Dallas Mavericks and Nets last season. The 30-year-old averaged 16.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists in 26 games with Brooklyn.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The Nets acquired Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers in the blockbuster James Harden trade during the 2021-22 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.
However, Simmons never developed a jump shot 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.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Dinwiddie signed a three-year, $54 million contract in the summer of 2021. He has career NBA averages of 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 466 games with the Detroit Pistons, Nets, Washington Wizards and Mavericks.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
