Nets not shopping Ben Simmons, little market for him anyway
Source: Brian Lewis @ New York Post
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBSThe latest Durant question I’ve kind of been musing is if the Raptors would give up Scottie if they could also get Ben Simmons. Then the Nets could redirect everything else they get in the deal (plus the Lakers picks for Kyrie) to Utah for Donovan Mitchell. My brain hurts. – 7:30 PM
More on this storyline
Privately, Nets sources have intimated the latter option is unlikely. And when asked if Ben Simmons had gotten assurances he was in the Nets’ long-term plans and would not be traded, a source close to the young All-Star told The Post simply that “Ben is good.” -via New York Post / July 8, 2022 Brian Windhorst: There is a debate in the NBA right now about whether Ben Simmons with $100 million left on his contract coming off of back surgery is a valued asset or a distressed asset. -via YouTube / July 8, 2022 The problem is that Mitchell is unavailable to the Nets for the same primary reason as many top young stars: Brooklyn is ineligible to trade for Mitchell as long as Ben Simmons is on the roster. League rules preclude one team from employing two players on “designated rookie” contracts acquired via trade. Another considerable obstacle: Utah, for now, has been adamant that it won’t trade Mitchell. One nonetheless suspects that the Jazz, for all their messaging about wanting to reload around Mitchell, would eventually be willing to trade Mitchell in the proverbial “right” deal if the Nets suddenly no longer had Simmons (or were shipping him out in the same trade). Something to file away if a multi-team Durant deal doesn’t materialize immediately. -via marcstein.substack.com / July 3, 2022