Nets’ Free Agency Unsettled
As the NBA’s free agency period moves into its fourth day, the Brooklyn Nets seem to be in a tight spot. So far, they’ve said yes to retaining only two players. Center Nic Claxton agreed to return to the team and this came at a hefty $100 million price for a four-year contract. In addition, Keita Bates-Diop has claimed his $2.6 million player choice for the next season. Apart from these decisions, further player choices like Lonnie Walker IV, Trendon Warford, and Dennis Smith Jr. are up in the air.
Could The Nets Say Goodbye to Some Old Faces?
The fate of Walker, Warford, or Smith in Brooklyn for the next season is up in the air. The team seems to be waiting till later in the free agency period to figure it out. In a surprise move, the Nets are also eyeing trades with veterans like Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Bojan Bogdanovic. Why, you may ask? They’re hoping to dump contracts, free up some dollars, and even maybe bolster their future draft possibilities.
The Ben Simmons Question
And then, there’s the unclear future of Ben Simmons. Simmons, with his whopping expiring contract of $40.3 million, is something the Nets need to think about. Considering his injury history, the team is likely to realize that keeping Simmons isn’t part of their long-term plans.
During his healthier days with the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons carved a space in the All-Star line-up three times, made it to the All-Defensive First Team twice, and was an All-NBA Third Team choice in 2020. But Simmons’ performance and health have been shaky since his transfer to the Nets in 2022. Last season, he was on the field for just 15 games due to a back injury. In total, he’s shown up in a Nets jersey only 57 times, and has pocketed about $78 million over this period.
A Rough Ride for Simmons and the Nets
The Nets’ performance with Simmons was quite disappointing with only seven victories in 15 matches. General Manager Sean Marks expressed his concern but also reiterated that health was paramount for Simmons. Marks is hoping for a better future for Simmons. He believes that with the right health support, Simmons could be a game-changer for the Nets, but only time will tell.
The main question is whether the Nets should move Simmons’ contract before it expires in 2025-26. They risk losing him for nothing in return, but his injury history and deteriorating performance make it hard for any team to risk trading for him. Simmons offers limited value on the offensive end and has a virtually non-existent jumper.
Only a handful of teams, especially those looking to rebuild, might even consider trading for Simmons. But they could terminate his contract after a year if he doesn’t match expectations. The challenge for the Nets is to achieve a middle ground where they can trade him at a decent value without losing out.
Could the 2022 Season Bring a Simmons Resurgence?
The Nets are caught in a dilemma, but they’re hoping for a miracle. If Simmons stays fit and puts on a solid show in the first few games next season, his value could skyrocket and ease the team’s worry about his expiring contract.
However, if Simmons fails to perform, the Nets are ready to put him on the back bench and wait for the right trade opportunity. In the worst-case scenario, the Nets will have to deal with Simmons’ salary for the 2024-25 season. They may see him walk away as a free agent next summer. On the bright side, this would free up cap space to boost their roster in the 2025-26 season.
Whatever the outcome, the coming months will define the future for both the Nets and Ben Simmons. As we watch the unfolding of this NBA free agency season, it is clear that the Nets have some weighty decisions on their plate. The sport awaits amidst bated breath, hoping for the best in the world of basketball.