Brooklyn's $35 million Ben Simmons problem

1 year ago 53

Amid an alarming driblet successful his violative crippled coupled with much woes astatine the free-throw line, Ben Simmons' marketplace worth is the lowest it's ever been and ironically capable that's what whitethorn prevention him from being traded by the February 10 deadline.

Simmons has looked a shadiness of himself for the Brooklyn Nets, averaging a vocation debased 7.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists per crippled and Nets manager Jacques Vaughn has benched the Australian precocious successful games with his deficiency of aggressiveness astatine the handbasket a increasing interest for his caller team.

Simmons tin inactive support and supply for his teammates, but his existent output does not lucifer his $35 cardinal wage and Brooklyn officials are reportedly frustrated by the 26-year old, with Vaughan seen rolling his eyes erstwhile talking astir Simmons' genu soreness aft the team's nonaccomplishment to the Pistons past week.

Before his determination to Brooklyn, Philadelphia wanted a apical 25 prima successful instrumentality for Simmons successful the commercialized that yet saw him transportation to the Nets for James Harden.

Now, it's understood the Nets are acceptable to portion ways with the Aussie arsenic his worth drops amid a disappointing archetypal season.

But it's not that simple.

While reports claim Brooklyn, sitting 4th successful the East, is looking to beryllium progressive earlier the deadline and is successful the marketplace for upgrades, Simmons' existent signifier and his declaration marque him virtually untradeable.

Simmons is taking up a large chunk of the team's wage headdress and is the team's third-highest paid subordinate down Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. If the squad were to commercialized him away, they would astir most apt person to portion with draught superior to bash it.

The Athletic's John Hollinger said Simmons was being paid "roughly 3 times what he's worth" portion chap newsman Alex Schiffer described the Aussie arsenic "closer to a taxpayer's midlevel player."

"As for trading Simmons, bully luck with that," Hollinger wrote. "The Nets would request to connect draught picks, not person them, and — past I checked — they request a support gaffe from the Rockets to bash thing with immoderate of their draught capital.

"I conscionable don't spot immoderate headdress concern close present connected different roster wherever exchanging for Simmons would beryllium helpful, and that won't alteration unless either Simmons plays amended oregon different subordinate connected a immense declaration plays severely capable that trading him for Simmons becomes palatable. (Although, I indispensable admit it would beryllium hilarious to spot a Simmons-Tobias Harris situation commercialized that sends him backmost to Philly).

"I mean, would you commercialized Simmons to Dallas for Davis Bertans and Tim Hardaway, Jr.? Those are the types of deals you're astir apt looking at."

Fellow Aussie Patty Mills could besides beryllium traded considering his debased wage and his coagulated form.

A study from The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor states Brooklyn is exploring moves for Joe Harris ($18.6 million), Seth Curry ($8.5 million) and Mills ($6.5 million) fixed their moveable salaries and considering they've had reduced roles this season.

Mills inactive has what it takes to execute successful the NBA, scoring 21 points successful 26 minutes disconnected the seat successful the triumph implicit the Lakers this week.

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