“Contrary to recent reports,” the Mavericks have no interest in trading for Nets swingman Ben Simmons, league sources tell Marc Stein in his latest post at Substack.
A couple of weeks ago, Ian Begley of SNY.tv reported that the Nets had “cursory” trade talks with a Western Conference team, then later said those discussions were about a veteran shooter, and Simmons’ name came up. Begley cautioned that those talks may not have advanced beyond the exploratory stage, but Brooklyn was rumored to be “aggressive” in its pursuit of shooting.
On the heels of Begley’s reports, a Western Conference executive told Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney last week that the Mavericks might be worth watching.
“Dallas is a team to watch, Simmons would be an interesting fit next to Luka (Doncic) if the Nets were willing to take back (Tim) Hardaway and (Davis) Bertans. I am not sure how much higher the Mavs could go in terms of an offer but that would definitely be interesting for Luka.”
Stein says the Mavericks may have been mentioned “to try to create some sort of market for Simmons,” who has yet to regain his old form after missing all of last season. Simmons missed his fifth game of 2022/23 Sunday with knee soreness, though he seems confident it won’t be a long-term injury.
Here’s more from Stein:
- The Lakers have taken a look at some free agents, but Stein gets the sense that they’ll wait until Dennis Schröder and Thomas Bryant return before making any roster changes. Both players have yet to make their season debuts after each had thumb surgery last month, but they’re expected to play on Friday. The Lakers are hopeful Schröder can provide an offensive boost, Stein adds.
- After Dwight Howard signed a seven-figure deal to join the Taoyuan Leopards, other Taiwanese clubs are looking at veteran NBA free agents, according to Stein, who writes that Enes Freedom and Isaiah Thomas are among the targets.
- Carmelo Anthony is another veteran being pursued by a Taiwanese team, but “it’s widely presumed” that the 38-year-old “is holding out for another NBA opportunity,” says Stein. Anthony averaged 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds on .441/.375/.830 shooting in 69 games (26.0 minutes) for the Lakers last season.
Funny they called Simmons a veteran “shooter.”
I read it that way at first, too, but I think the intention was to say they had talks about acquiring a vet shooter with Simmons going back. I think that’s why Bertans and Hardaway were mentioned as possible returns for Simmons
Ben Simmons is absolutely NOT a fit in Dallas.
Pay attention to the Chicago Bulls here closer to the trade deadline. DeMar DeRozan would make a nice sidekick for Luka. Multi-position guy. Deadly from mid-range. Can step in and run some point guard if needed. Hungry for a ring after Toronto trade which saw Raptors win a ring with Kawhi.
Um how does that money work without creating a roster surplus in Chicago? Dinwiddie might fit but you’d have to add another salary to match and then the Bulls would have to waive someone.
In fairness to the lakers, they rank well defensively and it’s just a lack of offence.
Dropping Russ to the bench has been good so far but again I think it’ll all be abit to clunky.
Does Schroder start with Beverly in the back court in which case Lonnie playing with Russ his numbers will fall off a cliff and he’s been good.
In the case Lonnie stays a starter and Schroder comes off the bench with Russ that doesn’t exactly mix well. Russ being so ball dominate doesn’t leave much for Schroder to do.
Simmons really needs a fresh start in a smaller market. Think Indiana would be perfect for him.
Myles Turner and Buddy Heild for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and Cam Thomas.
Something like this.
Tyrese shown playing with Fox that he can do really well off the ball aswell as being on the ball. Think he’d be a terrific fit with Ben. Benedict, Duarte and Cam can compete at for minutes of the wing. Then you have a couple options as the bigs like Isiah Jackson, Jalen Smith, Goga etc etc.
Realistically this is a team that will have another top draft pick this offseason and probably next year too. So your giving Ben loads of time to get back to where he was. You also add a couple more really good youngsters to this team and give the rest of the young guys time to develop.
In 2 years time you could be a serious threat
China
australia.
??
Simmons isn’t a fit in the G League
Ben Simmons should retire
People be hyping up draft picks saying they’ll do this and do that and build around him and what not. All going off potential and what could happen. Ben was all nba, was an all star, was the best defender in the league it’s not can he be that good it’s I hope he can get back to that level.
Just for comparisons sake, Ben vs CP3 vs Kyrie vs. Wiggins..
CP3 in 10 games this season is averaging 10-9.5-4.5 and the defence has dropped off. However it was only a couple years ago he was in the conversation for MVP putting up 16-9-4.5. He’s helping lead the suns to a strong regular season record and then a good playoff run.
Ben has been out injured most of the 2 years but that same season CP3 was in MVP talks he put up 14-8-7 and led the Sixers to 1st in the east.
Yet we view Ben as someone who should retire
What about Kyrie.
Blew up Cleveland, wasted a couple seasons on the Celtics and caused issues there, gone to the Nets recruited Harden and then pisses him off so much he has since left.
He choose to miss games cause he didn’t want to get vaccinated and Ben missed games cause of injuries and mental health. However over the past 3 season Kyrie has only played 27 more games. Yet last year he ranked 6th in fan votes to make the all star game. Fans all love Kyrie but why he’s a cancer who ruins the teams he goes too and causes so many issues. Yes he’s terrific when he plays but so was Ben pre injury.
Lastly Andrew Wiggins,
Who while on the Twolves didn’t accomplish anything as the first overall pick with KAT, LaVine and then Jimmy Butler. He got traded to GSW and they had an awful season and he was labeled a bust. 8 years into the league and then he had a tidy season and preformed great in the finals and won a title now people love him again.
Ben similarly was a first overall pick however he actually achieved something unlike Wiggins. He made all nba teams, all defensive teams and all star games. He led his team to first in the east and into the playoffs. Yea it didn’t work out yet but this is only his 6th season of playing basketball in the NBA. Like Wiggins i think Ben just needs another change of scenery to a team that won’t be under the spotlight all the time and he can refund his mojo and get back to playing good basketball.
I think Portland would be an interesting landing spot. They’ve got plenty of shooters. Although the best shooter they can part with is Simons… it is a risky bet to hand-off a rising star who they’ve developed over the last 4 years for this exact role on this team. But it is definitely a sell high option, to pick up a potential superstar that is currently low.
On the otherhand, if it fails and they crash and burn, they may get a ticket to to the Wemby-stakes lotto
I doubt they do anything consider they started off do well and Dame has since missed a couple games and they’ve added a couple losses.
However on paper it makes sense.
Simmons Grant and Hart would be a really good defensive trio for this team.
With Simons gone Sharpe can then get more minutes at the 2 spot.
Lillard Sharpe Simmons Grant Nurkic
GPJr Johnson Hart Little/Winslow Eubanks
Simmons is a bad fit for any team right now. The guy looks rusty in Brooklyn, and his role doesn’t look like it will be very significant. He’s lucky the NBA is trying to throw Irving out of the league for racist insensitivity, or Simmons would hardly play.
Bad idea for Enes to sign with a club in Taiwan, after the stuff he’s said about China he could be in legitimate danger.
Gotta give the man props for putting his money where his mouth is…
Carmelo would be perfect for the Wolves. The Wolves need a veteran that can handle all that mess as the old coaches used to say.
Don’t bring any of that player crap to us. To me he has displayed signs that he thinks he might want to handle that role and is able to deal with the aggravations of it all.
The number one thing the Wolves need right now is someone just like that.
Simmons to Dallas after what he has shown these past 2 years should be enough to force Luka out of Dallas…