1. Ben Simmons
This one may be more of a dream for the Nets than reality, but the three-time All-Star was playing well before his latest back injury. He has not appeared in a game since Nov. 6, but Simmons is ramping up his rehab. The 6’10 forward is no longer an All-Star. He is a strong playmaker and versatile defender, but the injuries have taken a toll.
Simmons is making $37.8 million this season and is under contract for $40.3 million in the 2024-25 campaign before becoming an unrestricted free agent. No franchise will be eager to pay him that much next season, but if Brooklyn acquires a star, Simmons could be the matching salary heading out in the trade.
The 27-year-old has played just 157 games over the last four full seasons combined. That is less than 40 contests per season, and he has suffered multiple back injuries. It is fair to wonder if Simmons is even in the league for his next contract.
The Brooklyn Nets should be searching for ways to improve if they want to contend. Having a $40 million salary on the books that does not produce at that level makes it tough. The Nets must be aggressive and are firmly in the rumors, so stay tuned to see what happens before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.