What Is Next For Ben Simmons And The Brooklyn Nets?
With the Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons looked like one of the league’s best young talents and someone that could potentially become one of the faces of the league for many years to come. He had a terrific all-around All-NBA year during the 2019-20 season and he was being labeled by many as being the best two-way player in the entire league.
Then came the 2020-21 season, a year in which Simmons was still an All-Star, but he took a step back and the Sixers ended up losing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Atlanta Hawks, a series that many Philly fans tend to blame Simmons for.
The former first overall pick then sat out the entirety of the 2021-22 season due to a holdout and a back injury before being dealt to the Brooklyn Nets in the trade that sent former league MVP James Harden to Philadelphia.
Since joining the Nets, Simmons has been a shell of his former self and his numbers have been extremely disappointing, as in a total of 42 games with the organization, Ben Simmons has only averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
There is nothing wrong with these numbers and the impact he brings on the defensive-end of the floor, but for a player that is making $35 million this season and still having about $77 million in guaranteed money on his contract, this is a major concern.
The Brooklyn Nets have a major decision to make regarding Ben Simmons' future with the organization not only because of the money he is owed, but because of his lingering health issues.
Not playing since February 15, Simmons was recently diagnosed with a nerve impingement in his back and he will miss the remainder of the season.
In addition, Simmons also parted ways with Klutch Sports Group, his representation since being drafted first overall in 2016. This had led to a lot of speculation around the league about the three-time All-Star possibility looking to start fresh with a new team in the offseason.
The Nets did explore trade opportunities involving Ben Simmons at this season’s trade deadline, sources told Fastbreak on FanNation, but interest in him league-wide is extremely minimal. In order for Brooklyn to get out of Simmons’ contract this year, it would have taken them attaching draft compensation in a deal as incentives for taking on Ben Simmons and that is something the Nets were unwilling to do.
At this point, with the Nets going in a different direction as a franchise with the departures of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, it only makes sense that they find a way to get out of Ben Simmons’ contract. Not only is he taking up money and space on this roster from others who can contribute at a higher-level, but mentally, Simmons is in no capacity to play on one of the league’s biggest stages in New York City.
Whether he gets bought out of his contract or is traded in the offseason, the only chance Simmons really has to revitalize his career is by going to a smaller market team and just working on being the best version of his current self.
He may never be able to be the player he was during his first few years in Philadelphia ever again, but Simmons can still be an impact defender in this league and a key facilitator in a lesser role. This is the opportunity Ben Simmons needs in the NBA, but at this point, it is hard to envision him getting this opportunity on his current contract.
Not only is Ben Simmons’ future with the Brooklyn Nets in doubt, but his immediate NBA future is certainly a question mark.
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