Mock trade has Nets trading Ben Simmons for Damian Lillard
The Brooklyn Nets have two issues to consider as they progress through this offseason: the benefit of going star-hunting for someone like Damian Lillard and how to handle the Ben Simmons situation. To start off, after Lillard was sitting court-side at Barclays Center during Game 3 of the Nets first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, there has been buzz about a possible trade where Brooklyn goes after Lillard.
While going after Lillard is a possibility, what Brooklyn must address is how Ben Simmons fits into the team’s future. Simmons, the former first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of LSU, played just 42 games this season due to a variety of injuries mostly related to his back and knees. When Simmons was able to play, his stats were down across the board compared to his career averages as he looked like a player that lost his mojo.
Simmons played just three games with the current roster and he did not start any of those games as head coach Jacque Vaughn felt that Simmons was better coming off the bench to be the primary ball-handler of the second unit. There is some unknown to if Simmons can be a part of the team’s future as a starter. With that being said, here’s a mock by Bleacher Report that could make it so Brooklyn doesn’t have to worry about fitting Simmons in:
The mock trade
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, Royce O’Neale, Patty Mills, Day’Ron Sharpe, 2025 first-round pick (via PHO), 2027 first-round pick (via PHO) and 2029 first-round pick
Brooklyn Nets receive: Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkić
Should the Nets do this trade?
While the offseason is still fresh, it seems that most mock trades that involve the Nets getting a star player would require them to use most, if not all, of their future first-round picks that they acquired in the Kevin Durant trade. The good thing is, if Brooklyn were to use those picks, the result would be independent of how Brooklyn does if it decides to go all in since it’s dependent on how the Phoenix Suns progress over the next few years. Getting Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic while simultaneously getting rid of Simmons would be a win.
Verdict: Yes, the Nets should do this trade if ever presented.
What B/R thinks of the trade
“Ben Simmons was an All-Star in 2020-21. That feels like a lifetime ago.
He looks like someone in need of a total reset. The same could be said of the Portland Trail Blazers, who are ostensibly trying to win big with 32-year-old Damian Lillard but just tanked their way to a second consecutive lottery appearance.
Maybe Simmons and the Blazers are right for each other—if Brooklyn provides sufficient compensation, of course. The Nets would be wise trying to package Simmons in a blockbuster deal, as his sizable salary would be much easier to stomach if packaged with multiple draft picks and prospects.”
