The point guard position has been a hot topic for the Nets over the years, and it’s been a roller coaster of changes, from surprises to absences to big paychecks to injuries.
With this disappointing season coming to an end, general manager Sean Marks must now focus on getting the results right for next season.
Namely, Dennis Schroder and Ben Simmons.
Schroder told the Post he wants to stay in the Nets, but everything suggests Simmons could be here, too.
Simmons was supposed to be the starter coming out of training camp, but he played in just 15 high-stakes games before being suspended with a compressed nerve in his back.
And while he underwent surgery and was medically cleared, the reality is that he missed enough time to leave a permanent question mark.
Meanwhile, Schroeder stepped in and immediately assumed a leadership role.
After arriving at the trade deadline, the Nets not only welcomed him, they were willing to follow him.
And the 30-year-old said before Wednesday’s 106-102 win over the Raptors that he hopes and intends to be the point guard in Brooklyn again next season.
“Of course. I always want to be stationed somewhere where people show me appreciation,” Schroder told the Post before scoring 21 points in Wednesday’s win. “From day one, I felt like people were reaching out to my family, my wife, my mom. It just shows, OK, they really are. [want me]. I also like the playstyle. They trust my abilities. And of course I want to stay.
“I know the business side of it too. So I don’t think about anything emotional or personal. I know how it is. But at the end of the day , of course I want to stay here. I met Joe [Tsai], the owner, his wife, and their children. And of course we want to create something special here. Everything they say, I preach the same thing. And I’m the same player they’re looking for and it would be great if I could stay, for sure. ”
The deciding factor may be business as well as medical.
Schroder is on an attractive expiring contract worth $13 million, making him available for trade over the summer if Brooklyn feels like it.
Schroder entered Wednesday with four points on 1-of-12 shooting against Sacramento on Sunday, but in his previous seven games with five wins, he averaged 4.69 percent shooting (44.4 from deep). He was scoring 17.7 points.
“He’s been a leader from the moment he came in,” interim coach Kevin Ollie said. “He brings a championship mentality. … He just has natural leadership and the ability to win. You know a winner when you see one. They hold everyone accountable, but they hold themselves accountable. He also holds people accountable. That’s what he did first and foremost.”
Schroder had 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in the Nets’ final home game on Wednesday.
“He knows exactly what I want on the basketball court just by the way he communicates with me. He knows what I’m thinking and he knows exactly what I want on the basketball court. The relationship continues to grow. However, the relationship with Mikal [Bridges] and nick [Claxton] Talk to those people and be a stand-up guy. …The great teams and championship teams I’ve been on were great off the court as well. And giving those gold nuggets to our guys really helped build a more cohesive group. ”
Simmons was an invisible man, appearing in just 57 of the Nets’ 192 regular-season games and none of the Nets’ eight playoff appearances, but it came at a heavy price. He will make $37.9 million this season and is scheduled to make $40.3 million next season.
There’s no indication the Nets will seek a buyout, in fact, the opposite is true, and it appears Simmons is moving forward with the hopes of being a part of the team next season.
If the surgery is successful, he should be fine for summer training and pickup games.
However, next season will be a contract year, and he certainly expects to play rather than sit on the bench.
If the Cavaliers move him before the summer or next year’s trade deadline, Simmons’ salary would be a given for Donovan Mitchell.
Making the right decisions at the point guard position will be a big part of the offseason for Brooklyn and Marks.
