Credit: Twitter
Brooklyn Nets are reportedly exploring trade options for star player Ben Simmons, the disgruntled All-Star point guard who had a struggling 2022-23 season that saw stars like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant leave the franchise midseason. According to sources, the Nets are interested in a three-team deal that would send Simmons to the Miami Heat.
Nets are looking to land Damian Lillard, who will leave the Portland Trail Blazers after 11 years. Heat and Nets are competing for his signature. According to Greg Sylvander, the Nets are looking to offload injury-ridden Simmons as the Lillard deal is worked on. It’s been reported that Brooklyn could act as a third team to help facilitate a Lillard deal and potentially take on Tyler Herro from Miami in the process.
Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a variety of factors, and he was traded to Brooklyn during that season in the deal that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers. During the 2022-23 campaign, Simmons averaged just 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 56.6 percent from the field, marking a major step back from the 2020-21 season when he made the All-Star Game with the Sixers. In that season, Simmons put up 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game.
Also read: Where will Portland guard Damian Lillard play next season?
The Heat would land Simmons, who could thrive in their culture and system. Simmons would provide the Heat with an elite defense, playmaking, and transition offense while fitting in with their versatile and unselfish style of play. The trade is still hypothetical and unlikely at this point, but it is an intriguing possibility that could change the landscape of the NBA.
