Ben Simmons is expected to fully recover and complete rehab from his postseason back surgery prior to training camp, which should allow him to play a full season with the Brooklyn Nets. Yet with the uncertainty over Simmons’ status, should the Nets try and cash in on his trade value before he ever takes the floor in a Brooklyn uniform?
The Nets’ most glaring issue down the stretch in the 2021-22 season was defense, especially when Kyrie Irving was on the floor. While the duo of Durant and Irving have the ability to outscore other teams, the Nets need to improve on the defensive end to become a true title contender.
According to a proposed trade from Bleacher Report, Brooklyn could fix that issue with one blockbuster trade. With the Jazz at a crossroads following another early playoff exit, Greg Swartz proposes the Nets send a package starring Simmons and a 2022 first-rounder to Utah for three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Via Bleacher Report:
“Having Gobert, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, as an anchor at center next to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving would be a huge improvement for a Nets team that will continually face players like Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and Pascal Siakam in playoff runs.
Gobert was also the NBA’s best rebounder last season (14.7 per game) to go along with his 15.6 points on a league-best 71.3 percent shooting. He’d be a terrific lob threat for Irving, and this Nets team has enough shooting (Irving, Durant, Seth Curry, Joe Harris, Patty Mills) that Gobert’s lack of floor spacing on offense shouldn’t be an issue.”
Nets receive: Rudy Gobert
Jazz receive: Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton, 2022 first-round pick
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