Trade noise aside, Brooklyn Nets should be excited about Ben Simmons

Despite the outside trade noise revolving around Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets should be excited about Ben Simmons. 

For much of the offseason, the majority of the headlines involving the Brooklyn Nets have revolved around Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The “will they” or “won’t they” narrative that has dominated the headlines for Brooklyn is probably something that will also carry into the regular season.

That said, it’s not the only story that will follow the Nets into the start of training camp – which is about five weeks away. There’s one other big-name currently on the Nets’ roster that should garner some positive attention. Ben Simmons.

Ben Simmons should be cleared for Brooklyn Nets training camp

Simmons has yet to play in a game for the Nets; he was acquired at the NBA Trade Deadline last season but sat out the remainder of the year. However, he should be back and cleared fully by the time training camp rolls around.

Simmons hasn’t played in an NBA game since the 2022-21 season when he was still a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. Before last season, he decided to hold out for a trade. He eventually got one, but was still rehabbing from an injury and couldn’t make his Nets debut during the latter portion of the regular season or in the playoffs.

Now that he appears to be healthy, he’s a player or a variable that the Nets can be excited about – and that’s not something they’ve had the luxury of with the circus that Durant and Kyrie have created this offseason.

Simmons is still just 26 years old and with the narrative that has formed around him after a disappointing showing during the Sixers’ playoff run in 2021 and sitting out all of last season, it’s easy to forget the promise that he has as a player.

During the last full season he played, Simmons averaged 14 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists per game on 56 percent shooting from the floor. Oh, and when he’s engaged, he’s one of the better – and most versatile – wing defenders in the league.

As the Nets continue to bargain through the media regarding Durant and/or Kyrie trades, there’s a potential superstar that’s already locked up to be in Brooklyn for the foreseeable future.

There’s a good chance that Brooklyn’s fate this season will fall on the shoulders of Simmons and how he bounces back after sitting out an entire season.

And that’s likely whether or not the Nets decide to trade Durant and Kyrie or not.