Despite Rumors, Mavs Not Interested in Nets’ Ben Simmons

It’s not known if guard/forward Ben Simmons is actually available, but it’s probably safe to assume the Nets wouldn’t mind trading him.

If so, one team that would not be interested is the Mavericks — despite some recent Internet rumors.

Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Dallas isn’t looking to shake things up at the moment, and Simmons has not looked good in the early season. He missed all of last year, refusing to play for the 76ers, then struggling with back issues after being traded to the Nets.

He underwent back surgery in the offseason, and if he’s totally recovered from that, it hasn’t shown.

As for the Nets overall, there’s no telling what this season may bring. Already, they fired Steve Nash as coach and already, Kyrie Irving has been suspended. This comes after a drama-filled offseason in which Kevin Durant requested a trade, then rescinded it. 

There is a sense around the league that if things don’t improve soon, the Nets could gut the roster and try to start over, as we relayed here. But at this point, they might struggle to find someone to take on Simmons and Irving.

Simmons, 26, still has two years remaining on his contract. He is averaging career-lows of 5.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists in nine appearances on the season.