The Brooklyn Nets roster has been a giant question mark for most of this offseason. After an embarrassing sweep to end their 2021-22 campaign, many expected the Nets to move forward with their 3 All-Stars and find a way to get them to gel for a proper run next season.
Instead, it has been a nightmare, with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant both going through prolonged tiffs with the organization and Durant still very much on the trade market. In all of this, there is one player whose case is quite the curious one, with no one being able to confidently say what will happen with Ben Simmons next season.
Simmons has never played for the Nets, essentially missing the season after being traded before the deadline by the Philadelphia 76ers. He was expected to play for the Nets, but his persistent back issues ended up ensuring that he didn’t play, and now he might be moved on without ever doing so either.
If the Nets do decide to blow up the team, it won’t make sense to keep Simmons; they will likely flip him as well. And as per Sean Deveney of Heavy.com, the Toronto Raptors might have a package for the Australian that could tempt the Nets.
“Toronto had an interest in Simmons before, and a package could be built around OG Anunoby. The Raptors would not give up Scottie Barnes or (Fred) Van Vleet or (Pascal) Siakam, so it might be a nonstarter for Brooklyn,” the executive said to Deveney.
“But Anunoby, Khem Birch, and two young guys like (Malachi) Flynn and Precious Achiuwa, plus a couple of first-rounders, that might be the best the Nets can do for him.”
Simmons’ value is likely lower than it has ever been, he hasn’t played in a year, and his attitude has been questioned by just about everyone. However, he is still an All-Star and All-Defense caliber talent, and that means some team will likely always be willing to take a chance on him. Right now, though, the man himself seems to be focused on working with the Nets to get back on the court and make a splash next season.
