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Hoops Habit
Fansided

Re-grading last year’s monumental Harden-Simmons trade

By Michael Shearer

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 25: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets gestures during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 25: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets gestures during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JANUARY 19: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JANUARY 19: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

Brooklyn Nets: D+

Seth Curry has been a valuable rotation piece, bombing away from deep and showing why he’s the sharpest-shooting Curry brother. It’s worth noting that, although a complete defensive liability, Curry did shoot over 50% from three against the Celtics in the playoffs. At times, he felt like the only source of consistent Brooklyn offense in that series.

Drummond left the Nets in free agency this summer.

The Nets ended up deferring the first pick they were receiving from Philadelphia to this year. It was the #23 selection, and Philly sent it to Memphis for De’Anthony Melton, who has been a vital part of Philly’s rotation and looks like the exact kind of 3-and-D-and-a-little-more role player every team wishes they had.

Interestingly, Brooklyn executed nearly the exact same trade, sending the ’23 Philly pick to Utah for Royce O’Neale, who has flourished in Brooklyn. Averaging a career-high in points, assists, and three-point percentage, he has been an integral part of their squad on both sides.

The other pick is too far away to judge value accurately, and at top-8 protected, it has limited upside.

But the meat of this comes down to Simmons, and he has been an unmitigated disaster in Brooklyn. The Nets’ backs were put against the wall by Harden’s trade demand, and Simmons seemed like a nice fit next to Irving and Durant. But Simmons still isn’t physically right — his back is so stiff he can barely bend over at times — and he hasn’t looked anything like that flawed-but-talented DPOY runner-up the Nets thought they were getting.

Simmons has had some forceful defensive moments, but he’s struggled badly with foul trouble. His 4.5 fouls per 36 minutes are more than hack artists Alperen Sengun and Jericho Sims. On top of that, his offensive confidence has seemingly never been lower. He refuses to look at the rim, and his free throws are worse than a coin flip. His, uh, unique offensive profile was mitigated by a Brooklyn roster starring two incredible off-ball shooters. With Irving gone, the on-court fit becomes even gunkier. Simmons also has missed time with various injuries. After Dorian Finney-Smith was added to take the wing-stopper role, it’s unclear if Simmons will be a significant part of any playoff rotation.

Zach Lowe recently stated on his podcast that Simmons has “zero” value, and Brian Windhorst opined he is one of the worst three contracts in the league. These are not the words you want to hear about the centerpiece in your trade return.

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