Once the NBA trading deadline has passed, it is now heading into the acquisition market. Ben Simmons may depend on that.
Nets has spoken with Simmons about a potential acquisition, and it is expected that the previous All-Stars have a robust option to choose from if they reach an agreement and become free agent.
The post reported over the weekend that Nets has not yet engaged in the acquisition of Simmons, but that things could change. Now I have it.
According to ESPN, Cleveland, Houston and the Clippers are one of the teams monitoring his services. The Cavaliers are the top seed of the Eastern Conference, with the Rockets and Clippers taking third and sixth in the West on Thursday, respectively.
Simmons averages 6.2 points, 6.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds this season. He played 33 of Nets' 49 games that enter Tilt vs. Miami on Friday.
This is the most available to play Simmons from 2021-21 while he was with the 76ers.
The veteran missed 189 of 246 games over the past three seasons, forcing a hernia disc and two microscopic partial specimens, causing his second occurrence next month.
He is no longer his old All-Star self, but he is finally at a point where he can stay in court and contribute.
Simmons is in the final season of his five-year, $177.2 million contract.
He has made $40.3 million quarterly this season. Even if he becomes a free agent, it is relevant as it directly affects his potential landing point.
Due to the CBA quirk, teams that cross the initial apron are abandoned and are not allowed to ink on players with existing salaries of $12.8 million.
That is, even if Simmons is acquired, he will not be able to sign with the Celtics, Nuggets, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks, or the Sun.
After being bought at deadline three years ago, the injured Simmons was unable to play the net game that season. He recorded a nearly ineffective appearance of 42 in 2022-23, and 15 after 15 seasons.
But this season – first Dennis Schroeder and now Dangelo Russell's backup – Simmons actually contributed at that point.
The reconstruction net has a rating of minus 3.5 when he's playing, but with every basketball reference it's a terrifying minus 9.3 when he gets off the floor.
Buying up Simmons will allow you to crater the Nets' backup point guards whenever Russell is sitting.
Whether the net will abandon Diantony Melton or buy Bojang Bogdanovic is still unclear.
Exempting Melton didn't save them money, but with him for the ACL torn season, they were able to make a senior roster.
Bogdanovic has a timing issue. Bogdanovic is competing to make his season debut.
He must be cleared to contact, practice, play and be abandoned by March 1st in order to qualify for the playoff roster. It seems ambitious.
