The Ben Simmons experiment
Another reason why it would make sense for Kevin Durant to give the Nets another shot is that they never got to see what they have in Ben Simmons. After sitting out the season after being acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers, we still haven’t seen Simmons next to Kyrie or Durant.
That could change this season, especially if it is indeed true that Simmons is ready to play at the start of the year. Simmons would give Durant and Kyrie an element that they haven’t had since joining the Nets. He’s a young generational talent at the point guard position that could really play anywhere on the floor.
When he’s engaged and healthy, you can make an argument that he’s one of the best two-way players in the league. No, he doesn’t shoot 3’s but he does many other things on the offensive end of the floor. He would make life easier for both Kyrie and Durant and could really raise this team’s ceiling as a contender.