The Brooklyn Nets are patiently waiting for Ben Simmons to make his debut with the team after acquiring him ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Simmons has not appeared in a game this season, as he was working on his mental well-being and overcoming a back injury.
Brooklyn could certainly use him in the lineup, as he was the centerpiece of the trade package they received in exchange for James Harden and Paul Millsap. Seth Curry and Andre Drummond have been excellent additions as well, as they and two first-round picks came in the deal with Simmons.
There is a lot that Simmons will bring to the table to help the Brooklyn Nets with. He is arguably the most versatile defender in the NBA with his ability to defend point guards as effectively as he can defend centers. That versatility is what one NBA scout believes is key for the Nets.
“Ben’s defense is going to be a big boost for them. With how big he is, the Nets could go small with him and KD and have them switching screens. Drummond is limited in what he can do out in space and bigger guards and wings can use their frame against Claxton. Again, having Ben or KD making that switch will be a big difference.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Steve Nash Reveals Odds Of Ben Simmons Playing This Season
Last season, part of the struggles for the Brooklyn Nets was their back of options in the frontcourt. DeAndre Jordan was benched near the end of the regular season and didn’t play a single second in the postseason. Jeff Green was their nominal starter, but given how big Ben Simmons is, Brooklyn can now hold their own when they go small as the scout suggested.
We have already seen on multiple occasions Drummond gets phased out of rotations in big games and the postseason, so getting Simmons back in the mix will help mitigate that. Nic Claxton will provide some more insurance in the frontcourt as well.
But, it will likely be a lot of Simmons and Kevin Durant in the frontcourt when the postseason rolls around. There are also some advantages to Simmons on offense. While he has his shortcomings, which were on full display during the 2021 postseason, Simmons can make an impact on that side of the ball if he is willing to not have the ball in his hands as much.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Steve Nash Reveals Odds Of Ben Simmons Playing This Season
“When teams send double-teams at KD, it will only help to have a screening threat that can short-roll and make a play against the defense when they’re scrambling to recover. Ben could bring that type of impact, but he’s going to have to make free throws consistently.”
Playing more of a wing or frontcourt role on offense is something that has been mentioned previously for Ben Simmons to find success. He has the talent to finish at the rim, but he needs to remain confident that if a team fouls him, he can make the most of it at the foul line.
He didn’t want the ball in his hands or to shoot it in big moments in the playoffs. Even with Kevin Durant and a part-time Kyrie Irving, the Nets cannot afford to have that happen on offense. They will need Simmons to have some sort of impact, even if it is something as simple as short-roll plays in scramble situations.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Steve Nash Reveals Odds Of Ben Simmons Playing This Season
Ben Simmons’ presence will be a boost for the Brooklyn Nets, who are currently in 8th place in the Eastern Conference and in a position to be in the NBA Play-In Tournament. But, the team is certainly running out of time to get him up to speed as only 12 games are remaining in the regular season.
