For the first time in a long time, the Brooklyn Nets have been receiving some positive news. It was revealed this week that they will be continuing their partnership with Kevin Durant into the future, putting to rest the NBA trade rumors that have surrounded him since he made a request back on June 30th.
With Durant now committed, everyone can focus on basketball and trying to win a championship. The roster this season should be stronger around Durant and Kyrie Irving as the front office was hard at work this offseason.
Minutes after Durant made his trade request, the team acquired Royce O’Neale from the Utah Jazz. T.J. Warren was also signed away from the Indiana Pacers in free agency. Patty Mills and Nicolas Claxton were re-signed, while Joe Harris is expected to return to full health after missing all but 14 games last season.
Another player that the Nets are excited to have in the fold is Ben Simmons. Simmons was acquired in the James Harden blockbuster trade ahead of the deadline from the Philadelphia 76ers, but he has yet to suit up for the team.
Simmons had to overcome some mental health issues last season and was also dealing with a back injury. He underwent a procedure in May and it sounds like he is progressing well. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic,
“Simmons has been cleared for three-on-three basketball activities following back surgery in May, and he is on track to be cleared for full five-on-five activities in the coming weeks, league sources say. The Nets and Simmons expect him to be ready for training camp in late September.”
Training camp was a time some people were looking forward to because it was a deadline of sorts in the Durant saga. With that now behind them, the focus will shift to it being the first time we could see Simmons on the court with his teammates.
If healthy, Simmons could raise the ceiling of this team exponentially. His versatility as a defender is something the Nets desperately needed and as an elite playmaker, he can take pressure off of Durant and Irving running the offense.
There is a lot of creative things you can do with a player of Simmons’ caliber. Looking at what the Golden State Warriors have been able to do with Draymond Green has to make the Nets and their fans excited about what could come for Simmons.
For the latest surrounding Ben Simmons, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the Brooklyn Nets, check out our NBA news and trade
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