Brooklyn Nets Guard, Ben Simmons during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 26, 2024 (Photo Credit: Newsweek)
As the 2024-25 NBA season kicks off on October 22nd, the Brooklyn Nets are faced with questions about their rebuilding efforts, and how effective they can be. Also, eyes are on guard Ben Simmons, who is entering the final year of his five-year extension and will be returning after back surgery.
Since the summer of 2013, the Brooklyn Nets have been rebuilding their team. It began when the Boston Celtics agreed to send Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry to the Nets for Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks, and three first-round picks, and multiple pick swaps. Those first-round picks turned out to be Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum. Smart has since been traded, but In June, Brown and Tatum led the Boston Celtics to their 18th NBA championship, solidifying their status as elite superstars in the league.
During the summer of 2019, the Nets signed forward Kevin Durant and point guard Kyrie Irving during free agency and many thought the team was making the right moves to become championship contenders.
However, in 2021 when the Houston Rockets traded James Harden to the Nets in a three-trade that included the Cleveland Cavaliers, many wondered if egos would get in the way of a championship for this super team. In the trade for Harding, the Nets gave up Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince, and rights to Aleksandar Vezenkov. The Nets, along with the Cavaliers, also traded three first-round picks and multiple pick swaps to the Houston Rockets.
The trio of Durant, Irving, and Harden were unable to lead the Brooklyn Nets in building team chemistry and reaching their full potential as a championship contender due to limited playing time together caused by injuries, COVID-19 mandates, coaching changes, and off-court controversies.
In 2022 Harden requested to be traded and he and Paul Millsap were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andrae Drummond, and two first round picks. The following year, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant sought trades. Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, and the Nets received Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and two second-round picks (2027 and 2029). Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren were traded to the Phoenix Suns and the Nets received Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029), and a 2028 first-round pick swap.
Following the 2023-24 season, the Nets traded their best player of the season, Mikai Bridges, to the New York Knicks. The Nets will enter the 2024-25 season with Ben Simmons (PG), Nic Claxton (C), Cameron Johnson (SF), Dennis Schroder (PG), Dorian Finney-Smith (PF), Shake Milton (SG), Day’Ron Sharpe (C), Cam Thomas (SG), and Ziare Willaims (F).
Coach Jordi Fernandez and his coaching staff will look to develop their young players while utilizing the experience of the veterans as they work to build team chemistry. The biggest question floating around; is what version of Ben Simmons will the Nets get?
Ben Simmons, who has only played 57 games while missing 189 over the past three seasons, recently underwent his second back surgery in three years. He has now been cleared to participate in the upcoming training camp without any restrictions. The pressing question remains: Can he stay healthy and make a significant impact on the court? A three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive First Team member, and Rookie of the Year before his injuries and refusal to play, Simmons is in the final year of his 5-year, $177 million contract, earning $40 million this season.
As the season begins, Simmons might start off the bench. This strategy could help him stay healthy as he readjusts to regular play. His trainer, Chris Brickley, has shared on social media that Simmons is “better now than his All-Star seasons.” If true, Simmons could significantly contribute to the Nets and potentially emerge as a key team contributor.
By the time the All-Star break arrives in February, we will see how the Nets are doing
in the Eastern Conference, the progress of their team chemistry, if there was any wisdom behind trading Mikal Bridges, and the impact Ben Simmons is having, if any. Additionally, it will be evident if Simmons will be valuable for the 2025 free agency class.
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