NBA Trade Deadline Tracker: Could Ben Simmons be on his way out of Brooklyn Nets as well ahead of the deadline?
The trade deadline has finally arrived and the Brooklyn Nets were able to commence a rebuild late in the season.
Last weekend, superstar point guard Kyrie Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Just yesterday, Kevin Durant was sent out to Arizona to join forces with the Phoenix Suns. The question now is, is Ben Simmons next in line for departure?
Unfortunately, as much as the Brooklyn Nets want to get rid of Ben Simmons before the trade deadline, no other team wants him. According to various sources, Simmons has no trade value. Honestly, no one can be blamed for the way they view him.
Simmons is currently signed to a five-year deal worth $177.24 million and is making an average of $35.44 million a year. Given that he's only averaging 7.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists, nobody wants to pay for an expensive role-player. Plus there's also the fact that Ben tends to miss out on games, it's just not an ideal situation teams want to put themselves in.
By all means, Ben Simmons is still a tradable player. It all comes down to who's willing to acquire him via trade.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving shake up the Western Conference before the trade deadline
The NBA is now in a frenzy as a result of numerous startling last-minute moves ahead of the trade deadline that has occurred over the past few days.
Kevin Durant has teamed up with the Phoenix Suns after Kyrie Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The recent trades have completely changed the narrative of each team, especially in the Western Conference.
Just a few days ago, the Brooklyn Nets were considered NBA champion contenders. Now, with both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving out of the picture, Brooklyn might not even get past the first round of the playoffs, let alone make it. With KD now in Phoenix and Kai in Dallas, the Western Conference is once again stacked with superstars.
In light of this, it's possible that teams like the LA Lakers, who are battling it out to make the playoffs, could possibly miss out again this year. With more formidable opponents in the mix, even the Golden State Warriors may not be able to successfully defend their title. It's horrifying how the trade deadline can turn a season's narrative around.
The teams who acquired these superstars now have a better chance of winning, which may be terrible news for teams that are already having trouble securing a playoff spot.
For the Suns, given Kevin Durant is on his side, Chris Paul might finally win a championship. With Irving's aid in Dallas, Luka Doncic could solidify his place as the best Mavericks player in franchise history even further.