Nets Likely to Explore Ben Simmons Trade Over Summer

The Nets traded away Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, and Ben Simmons may be next. Without a doubt, they spoke to several teams ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

But to no avail.

So they are expected to try again during the offseason, when the window to make trades reopens, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. 

Simmons was acquired in February 2022 in the James Harden trade with the 76ers at the deadline. While he’s served the Nets well as a role player this season, he has not resembled the former All-Star facilitator and scorer he was during his Sixers days. 

The Nets spoke to the Raptors and Wizards about Simmons ahead of the deadline, sources told Hoops Wire.

Clearly, the Nets have totally remade themselves since the start of the season, adding Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith from the Mavericks in the Irving trade, and Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson via the Durant deal with the Suns.

Simmons could be the best player on the team with good health, but only if he rediscovered the game that he once had in Philadelphia. For now, he said he isn’t sure why he hasn’t been playing late in games under coach Jacque Vaughn.

“It’s a little frustrating trying to find some rhythm and consistency; but that’s what it is at this point right now,” Simmons said, via Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “Guys have been in and out due to injuries, trades, so there’s been a lot of different things that play factors into it.”

What did and did not happen at the NBA’s trade deadline always sets the stage for offseason activity. For @YahooSports, a look at several cliffhangers around the league to keep an eye during this stretch run and playoffs: https://t.co/OKAPTkFSXg

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 14, 2023