The Brooklyn Nets haven’t had a great start to the 2022-23 regular season.
In addition to playing below-average basketball and Kyrie Irving’s recent sponsorship of an anti-Semitic video, Nets coach Steve Nash was fired — or amicably split ways — on Tuesday morning, before Brooklyn’s 108-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls, bringing their season record to 2-6.
Ben Simmons has had a significant role in the league’s subpar play. He has yet to regain his All-NBA form following his move from Philadelphia and multiple ailments. Simmons has appeared indifferent at times and, to be honest, terrified on the offensive end of the floor, avoiding any opportunities to shoot the ball.
According to a site on Tuesday the Nets have discussed “cursory trade possibilities” to boost the team’s shooting. A source reportedly mentioned Simmons’ name in trade conversations with one Western Conference team.
As Begley mentioned, the Mavericks are a Western Conference team with many senior shooters, which was the objective for the Nets. Obtaining a star like Simmons might have been more tempting for Dallas before the conclusion of his stint in Philadelphia. Still, his persistent injury history, on top of his contract and dismal play, should not entice Nico Harrison and company to come knocking.
If Dallas is interested, a package of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Davis Bertans for Simmons would fit the criteria financially. Does it satisfy Brooklyn’s need for a shooter enough to justify parting with Simmons’ upside, despite his diminished trade value?
Nothing would surprise me at this point, given how bad the Nets’ situation appears to be.