The 2023-24 NBA season will dawn a new era for the Brooklyn Nets. Gone are their superstars, as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were both traded ahead of the deadline in February, following the same path as James Harden out of the door.
Heading into this campaign, the Nets know they won’t be contending for a championship with the current roster construction. However, they should not be taken lightly, as this team still has a lot of talent.
How high this team will go could depend on Ben Simmons. His teammates have said that this could be his team to lead, which is certainly a risky proposition for Brooklyn. We have seen just how good he can be, as Simmons has reached All-NBA levels. But he hasn’t come close to that in the last few seasons for many reasons.
Healthy and a full participant in training camp for the first time in years, Simmons has a chance to reset with a clean slate. It is something that he is appreciative of receiving from the Nets. “It’s a fresh start for everybody. Last season, we had many different things going on,” Simmons said via James Herbert of CBS Sports.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Those different things were the trade requests of Durant and Irving, which were eventually fulfilled. With no distractions and the focus solely on the basketball court, the Nets can get down to business.
Simmons is expected to be a big part of their game plan this season. Given the skill set that he possesses, he should be an impact player for the team as long as he is over the mental challenges he has faced. At the very least, he should provide elite playmaking with top-notch defense.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons & Brooklyn Nets Updates
The defensive side of the ball is where the Nets could be at their best. In the opinion of Simmons, it is scary what they are capable of accomplishing on that end of the court.
“It’s kind of scary when you have multiple guys on the floor that can guard 1 through 5,” Simmons said.
There is certainly a lot of versatility for head coach Jacque Vaughn to rely on this season. A few weaknesses exist on the roster, but when you have guys you can plug into different spots in the lineup and fill several roles, his job becomes easier.
Simmons playing at a high level is key to unlocking this team’s potential. If the Nets receive the version of Simmons pre-2021, they will surprise many people this season.
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