NBA Trade Deadline: Could Ben Simmons help the Brooklyn Nets long-term?

Would Ben Simmons be the best for the Brooklyn Nets long-term? 

In the time that remains before this week’s NBA Trade Deadline (Thursday, 3:00 p.m. ET), teams will look to drop or add players that could be pivotal in making a playoff run that is just a few short months away. That is precisely what is happening with Brooklyn Nets‘ James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons.

Discussions about a trade between Brooklyn and Philadelphia reportedly have been happening for at least a month now. The 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey and Nets GM Sean Marks have reportedly been talking about possible trades since January 11th. In a conversation between the two, Morey hinted to Marks that he was interested in Harden, but Marks simply replied “no” when asked if he was up for trade.

There have been conflicting reports as to whether Harden is still open to a trade from the Nets. Recent reports have said that the Nets are no longer interested in trading Harden before the deadline. I believe the Nets want to give their Big 3 another chance to make a run in the playoffs. This will be a challenge for the Nets as they have lost eight games in a row (the longest current streak in the NBA) and are now seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 29-24 record.

A trade happening is only speculation, but I think the Nets could benefit from having a player like Simmons on the team. The 76ers point guard is only 25 years old and has a lot of potential left in his game. Simmons has the accolades to prove that he can be an elite player still in the NBA.

• 2017-2018 Rookie of the Year
• 2017-2018 All-Rookie team
• 2x All-Defensive team
• 2019-2020 All-NBA
• 2019-2020 Steals leader
• 3x All-Star

In 275 games played in his NBA career, Simmons is averaging 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game.

The first pick of the 2016 NBA draft has a lot to offer to any team that is interested in trading for him. For the Nets specifically, I think he could be the defender that the team is really missing. Brooklyn is loaded with talent scoring-wise, but they lack that true defensive player that is constantly going to be protecting the glass and guarding the other team’s best offensive player.

I really believe that Simmons could be that guy for the Nets in terms of hustle and great defensive play. Take away the issues with the 76ers and Simmons would never even be on the trade block. To me, there is no reason to let a player of his caliber leave your team. Simmons is 6-foot-11 but has the motor and runs around as a normal-sized guard would.

That is another aspect of Simmons’s game that I really think could benefit the Nets. He is massive compared to any other point guard and will be a mismatch for almost anyone else who tries to guard him. Smaller players will get backed down into the post and get scored on. If a bigger player like a center tries to guard Simmons he will blow right past them with his speed and he has the ability to dunk the ball right in your face or use his sixth sense to make a flashy assist.

The one aspect of Simmons’ game that he gets criticized for is his ability to shoot the basketball. On certain teams, this would be an issue, but for the Nets, I do not think this would be a problem at all. Simmons would have the luxury of playing with others who can shoot much better than him like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Patty Mills.

My gut feeling is that the trade will not happen before the deadline. That does not leave out Harden being traded or signing somewhere else after the season is over. Harden will be a free agent at the end of the year and depending on how it all pans out maybe he will want a change of scenery once again. Only time can tell on something like that.