Nets Have Had Trade Talks Involving Ben Simmons With West Team

It doesn’t sound as it was anything too serious, at least not yet.

But according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, the Nets recently held trade talks in which the name of guard Ben Simmons came up. The talks were with a Western Conference team, as the Nets remain on the lookout for additional perimeter shooting, per Begley.

From the sounds of things, Simmons name only “came up in the talks,” per Begley, making it seem unlikely that anything is imminent.

Teams hold talks all the time, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Nets were OK with dealing Simmons. It’s early, but he hasn’t done much to make them think he’s a definite keeper.

After missing or sitting out all of last season, Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists in his first six games this year. He has definitely done a nice job facilitating, and a decent job defending, but if the Nets want more perimeter shooting … well, he’s not the man to deliver it.

Other teams realize this as well, but like the Nets did at the February trade deadline, perhaps a rival team will think Simmons can turn the corner if acquired. It hasn’t happened yet in Brooklyn, but the ability and promise are undoubtedly there.

That makes Simmons, 26, the ideal trade candidate.

Of course, the Nets are likely to wait and see how Simmons performs under a new coach — reportedly Ime Udoka of the Celtics — after the organization fired Steve Nash on Tuesday.