Nets Importance Rankings: Who are Brooklyn’s top 5 players?

2. Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons’ career has been perplexing, to say the least. For the first three years of his career, Simmons won Rookie of the Year and was a two-time All-Star. After that, however, well… you know what comes next (the passed shot against Atlanta, the holdout, the trade, etc).

Simmons was dealt from Philadelphia to Brooklyn in 2022 in the James Harden trade, and while Philly later dealt “The Beard” to the Clippers in 2023-24, Simmons is looking to have a career renaissance staying with the Nets. So far this season, Simmons is averaging 7.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists a game. Sure, the scoring is down from his career averages, and it’s not great, but he leads the team in rebounds and assists per game, an impressive feat.

It’s also worth noting that the Australian averages 1.2 steals a game as well. Simmons can be a Swiss Army knife for the Nets, and if all goes well, he could be a 10-10-10 guy. An All-Defensive Team is certainly within reach for the 27-year-old.

Simmons is a guard, but at 6’10”, he is position-less. Now, in his sixth season, Simmons can be a crucial player for a team looking to get back to the postseason. Simmons has experience playing in the playoffs, so that a playoff push won’t be new to him. Keep a close eye on Simmons’ impact this season, even if it isn’t showing in the scoring department.