Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons has a low trade value, and that should go without saying. The three-time All-Star hasn’t played in at least 50 games since the 2020-21 season.
Simmons missed last season due to a contract dispute, back injury and mental health issues. According to sources, the Nets’ faith in the fifth-year guard to produce at a high level is diminishing.
A few NBA betting sites are giving the Nets the eighth highest odds to win the championship this season. However, some sportsbooks have reduced the odds.
“I don’t think it has any real commercial value,” said Jake Fisher of Ben Simmons on the “Please Don’t Summarize This” podcast. The guard’s performances this season have disappointed NBA executives, so he may be stuck with Brooklyn for the foreseeable future.
“On Monday night I was talking to a team that has plans to rebuild when I was at Barça Center. And I asked that question, and I was told that before the start of the season and after 7-8 games, they lost interest.
Nets guard Ben Simmons is unsalable this NBA career.
In six games this season, Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.2 steals. He shot 44.1% from the field.
In addition, before exploring other trade options for the 26-year-old, the Nets must evaluate how to use his strength on the court. A coach can make all the difference for some NBA players.
Not to mention, Udoka could decide to bring Simmons off the bench. While the guard signed a five-year, $177 million contract and is making $35,448,672 this season, perhaps the LSU product is best suited as a sixth-man option.
As a rookie, after Russell Westbrook shot 28.9% from the floor and 8.3% from 3-point range this season, coach Darwin Hamm decided to bring the triple-double king off the bench.
Since then, the Lakers have won back-to-back games. Westbrook is averaging 13.3 points, 7.2 boards, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals this season. But as long as LA keeps winning, that’s all that matters.
With a 2-6 record, the Nets could change the rotation. The system is now clearly flawed. And it looks like Ben Simmons needs a boost of confidence. If he can’t succeed offensively as a starter, something needs to change.
