It was reported on Nov. 7 by Heavy that the Dallas Mavericks would be potential suitors for Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons if the Nets decided to move on from the former No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft. The premise of this report was Dallas would be looking for a second star to pair with superstar guard Luka Doncic and that Simmons would fit the role just fine.
However, according to Marc Stein on Monday, Dallas is not interested in Simmons, and it’s possible the reported trade interest was a manufactured attempt to generate trade buzz around Simmons. These reports come amid the three-time All-Star’s rough start to the season. He is averaging just 5.2 points and 5.9 assists while missing time because of knee soreness.
The Nets have not been reported as being out on Simmons just yet, but with guard Kyrie Irving’s impending free agency and forward Kevin Durant requesting a trade in the offseason, it’s possible the Nets could be sellers by the trade deadline. Stein reveals what he was told by his sources:
“Contrary to recent reports, league sources say Dallas is not a trade suitor registering interest in Brooklyn’s struggling Ben Simmons. This might be one of those cases, I’m told, where the Mavericks have been mentioned repeatedly to try to create some sort of market for Simmons.”
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