Ben Simmons is sticking out like a sore thumb in Brooklyn after the team traded for him with the expectation that he’ll be the defensive stopper on a championship team alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. That is no longer the case.
Simmons has been a role-player at best in his time with the Nets, averaging 7.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while playing 41 games on 26.7 minutes per game.
Simmons has started falling back in the rotation, especially now that the Nets have various forwards that they acquired in trades to send out KD and Kyrie. Ben openly spoke about the confusion he is facing on the new-look Nets but reiterated his commitment to doing anything needed to help the team win.
“Everything’s been changing all year, so it’s hard to really understand what’s going on, but hopefully we find some rhythm and consistency. It’s different. It’s a different experience (coming off the bench). So whatever the team needs from us to win, I’m willing to do that.” (h/t NY Daily News)
Ben’s contract is among the worst in the NBA and the Nets are on the hook for it for 3 more seasons, so their best bet is to help the player rehabilitate his value on a team that’s finally free of expectations.
What Does Ben Simmons Do Next?
If Simmons was unable to elevate his game alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, it’ll be far more challenging for him to do so now on this Nets team with a lot of depth, even though people think he will thrive with more opportunity on the roster.
The Nets’ can try to play Simmons like a traditional point guard to have a lineup of all forwards on the court but his lack of offense is going to make him hurt those lineups, especially now that the team doesn’t have iso bucket-getters.
He has to buy in and keep doing whatever Jacque Vaughn wants him to do. The coach and player seem to have a tense relationship but it’s best if they reconcile because Simmons won’t be moved off the Nets anytime soon.
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