"Absolutely crazy Draymond Green backup" - NBA analyst breaks down Ben Simmons' options as 2025 trade deadline approaches
Heading into this season, there were plenty of questions about how Ben Simmons would play after appearing in just 15 games last season. While the Brooklyn Nets are 0-2 on the year, Simmons has shown flashes of his old self, filling the stat sheet while finding his rhythm.
While it's still early in the season, Bill Simmons thinks that if Ben Simmons' progress continues to trend in a positive direction, then he has a number of options on the table.
From backing up Draymond Green in Golden State, to taking the next step of his development with Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks, Bill Simmons sees several choices for Ben Simmons. This, he thinks, makes the former three-time All-Star the most intriguing buyout player in recent memory:
“I think he has a chance to become one of the most fascinating February buyout guys in a few years because he could be the center in New Orleans. He could be an absolutely crazy Draymond Green backup at Golden State.
"He could be a really fun Heat Culture reclamation project, and he’s kinda exactly what the Knicks need.”
"They don't want to keep him" - Bill Simmons explains why the Brooklyn Nets could be willing to buy Ben Simmons out
The Brooklyn Nets are sitting on a treasure trove of draft picks heading into the 2025 NBA Draft, which is considered to be the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. In the event that the Nets wind up missing out on the first pick, they would still have a chance to land Ace Bailey.
In either case, as Bill Simmons pointed out, the Nets are looking to land in the draft lottery to increase their chances of the top pick. If Ben Simmons is able to stay healthy over the coming months, we could see the team willing to buy him out, so he can contribute to another team that views him as an asset.
While the podcaster doesn't believe the former Rookie of the Year is going to be leading a team to a title, he's confident that Simmons can be a difference-maker.
“If he can prove that he's healthy over the next three months, and Brooklyn, they don't want to keep him. They don't want to be good. So either he's trade or he's a buyout guy.
"But I actually think he could have an impact on the playoff, raise playing 18 to 20 minutes a game for a really good team. The guy's a good basketball player. Maybe he gives a [expletive] now.”
Following their first two games of the season, the Nets will be back in action on Sunday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks. It will be the first of two home games for the franchise before they hit the road for a game with the Memphis Grizzlies to close out the month of October.