The Brooklyn Nets could start next season with 3 All-Stars, or they could start it with none. It’s hard to tell what the future holds for the franchise at the moment. While Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have seen a lot of rumors about potential trades, it begs the question if Ben Simmons will be kept or traded should the Nets decide on a full rebuild.
There aren’t a lot of trades being speculated about when it comes to Simmons, who hasn’t played in the NBA in over a year. But it stands to reason that some teams might be interested in bringing him on board if the Nets are willing to let him go. And Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report has suggested a trade for Simmons, one that would see him join Luka Doncic in Dallas.
Brooklyn Nets Receive: PG Spencer Dinwiddie, F/C Maxi Kleber, 2025 first-round pick (lottery-protected), 2027 first-round pick (lottery-protected)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: PG Ben Simmons
“Adding a playmaker like Simmons helps ease the pain of losing Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks in free agency. A backcourt of Doncic (6’7″) and Simmons (6’11”) would potentially be the biggest in the NBA, combining two of the best playmakers the league has. If Simmons is healthy, the trio of he, Doncic, and Christian Wood is the best Big Three Doncic has ever played with, and this team could be back in the Western Conference Finals with Tim Hardaway Jr. returning from a broken foot as well.”
A Doncic-Simmons backcourt could theoretically be incredible, providing scoring, playmaking, and defense. However, the Mavericks being very culture-oriented might stop them from pursuing Simmons, whose fallout with Philadelphia was quite a bad one. His shooting also remains an issue, and considering how many three-pointers the Mavs take, he might not quite work in the system. However, anything is possible, and if Dallas takes a gamble on Simmons, it might not be the worst idea in the world.
