In a season that’s seen Chicago Bulls wing Zach LaVine redeem himself after substandard stretch, Brooklyn Nets playmaker Ben Simmons has been looking to do the same. Aside from Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., no active player has had as many back-related absences as him. However, while still not quite his old self, Simmons has looked as healthy as he has in a long time.
This and the empowerment he receives from Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez have allowed the former No. 1 pick to catch a second wind in a career that looked like it was winding down. He’s never lost his edge as a floor general or defender. Nonetheless, he’s now more assertive as a scorer, even away from the basket. His aggressiveness is even apparent in dead ball situations, whether Simmons is fired up or displaying a no-nonsense attitude.
Assessing Ben Simmons’ Trade, FA Value Ahead Of Deadline
Simmons’s numbers aren’t jumping off the page. This season, he’s averaging 6.3 points, 7.0 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 25.2 minutes per game. He averages 9.0 points, 9.9 assists, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per 36 minutes.
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Compared to his averages during his All-Star seasons –16.0 points, 7.6 assists, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 34.0 minutes per game –it’s clear that he’s not nearly as willing to attack as he used to be.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfbKSbZP67w?si=d8FOMkGxxiEjTPP_]
Part of this is undoubtedly due to Simmons’s physical state. He’s quite fluid with a nice burst off-the-dribble. Yet, he’s either unwilling or unable to frequently catapult himself above the rim. The 28-year-old is also still fortifying his mental state, which may have been impacted by both his injury history and the discourse about his scoring ability.
As he adjusts to his new reality, he’s been more of a connective player than the offensive engine. However, his combination of size, skill, and IQ gives him value. Indeed, the Nets are 6-8 when Simmons plays at least 25 minutes this season. For a team that’s 13-26, that’s not bad.
So what’s his value?
A Desirable Deal
On the trade market, Simmons’ deal was a hindrance because he was unable to live up to it. On what’s now an expiring $40.3 million contract, a team could see him as an attractive asset because he’s a pathway to cap relief. The issue is that the Nets are in the midst of a rebuild, so they may not be a fit for the types of players with high salaries.
If the Milwaukee Bucks made Giannis Antetokounmpo available, Brooklyn would be willing to sacrifice the cap space. The same might hold true for New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson. However, the likelihood that a player of their caliber becomes available prior to the trade deadline is unlikely.
The most likely course of action for the Nets is keeping Simmons through the end of the season. That doesn’t mean their partnership has to end then though and they could re-sign him in free agency. Brooklyn shouldn’t want to be put in a position where they have to rely on him. Nevertheless, as previously mentioned, he can still make a substantial impact.
On the free market, he could command an eight-figure salary. For example, Portland Trail Blazers wing Matisse Thybulle makes $11 million this season. On the other hand, similar to Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn, he could make less than half of that. Each of these players are reliable defenders whose durability and shooting ability are concerns.
It could all come down to who Simmons believes he is. Pride could lead to him turning down a deal. However, at a point where he wants to squeeze out all the basketball he has left, how much money he’s getting to play the game will likely be less important than simply continuing his NBA career.
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