The Brooklyn Nets believed they were getting an All-Star when they traded for Ben Simmons. They received a pricey albatross.
Simmons is out with a lower back ailment, which is allegedly similar to the one that cost him 38 games last season.
In his Brooklyn career, he has appeared in 57 of a possible 169 games. He has been paid $73.42 million to average 6.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while shooting 43.1% from the free throw line. That’s around $1.28 million each game.
Brooklyn has struggled because they can’t rely on Simmons to be on the court, and when he is, he isn’t producing. But what makes the trade sting is what Philadelphia was able to get in exchange for James Harden this season.
In exchange for Harden in 2022, the Nets received Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and first-round picks in 2023 and 2027, the latter of which is protected for picks 1–8.
A year and a half later, Philadelphia moved Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a protected 2026 first-round selection, an unprotected 2028 first-rounder, and a 2029 first-round pick swap.
They also acquired the expiring contracts of Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum, and Marcus Morris, all of whom provide valuable rotation minutes for Philadelphia, as well as KJ Martin and two second-round picks. In addition, Philadelphia waived P.J. Tucker’s $11.5 million salary for next season.
It’s like selling a stock and watching it skyrocket in value. Meanwhile, Simmons’ worth has plummeted, even from the low point reached during the 2021-22 season when he refused to play for Philadelphia.
He may have some worth as an expiring contract at the deadline next season, but Brooklyn is now waiting for his deal to expire.
In the summer of 2022, Brooklyn surrendered the 2023 first-round pick for Royce O’Neale, who was subsequently moved for three future second-round picks at this year’s deadline. So they have considerably less to show for their dealings with Harden than originally supposed.
To make matters worse, Harden is thriving with the Clippers while the Nets struggle. It’s difficult to picture Simmons helping Brooklyn to the playoffs next season while he’ll be paid more than $40 million.
Overall, it was a horrible deal for Brooklyn, and the situation is becoming worse by the day.
