According to NBA insider Brian Lewis of The New York Post, Kevin Durant would have stayed with the Brooklyn Nets last season if Ben Simmons was healthy.
Simmons dealt with knee and back issues last season and only appeared in 42 games. Durant wound up requesting a trade from the Nets and was traded to the Phoenix Suns after Kyrie Irving asked for a trade and was sent to the Dallas Mavericks.
Simmons is 100% healthy again and played well versus the Los Angeles Lakers in the Nets’ preseason opener. The three-time NBA All-Star put up 10 points and three assists in 14 minutes while shooting 4-of-6 from the field and 2-of-4 from the free-throw line.
“[It felt] amazing. That’s really it, just amazing. Happy to be out there, and compete, and feel good out there and able to contribute like I know how I can. So I felt great,” Simmons said. “It’s the best in two years for sure. Definitely.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets 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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
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 this season for the Nets.
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