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The Brooklyn Nets have one of the strongest rosters in the league, led by a talented trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. However, the Nets fell flat in the 2021 postseason, bowing out to eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks.
The Nets will enter the 2021-22 NBA season with the objective of winning it all, but the front office might need to make some major adjustments to the roster before that. Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons is available for a trade this summer, and we make a case for why the Nets should trade Kyrie Irving in exchange for the Australian international's services.
Why the Brooklyn Nets will be better off trading Kyrie Irving for Ben Simmons
Kyrie Irving is regarded as one of the best point guards in the league, and his impressive resume is a testament to the feats he has pulled off in his NBA career so far. However, Irving's recurring injury problems and erratic form have been a cause of concern for the teams he has played for, and here are three reasons why the Brooklyn Nets should trade him for Ben Simmons.
#3 Ben Simmons is younger than Kyrie Irving
Age is a major factor in any sport, as teams try to ensure that players spend their best physical years with them. Kyrie Irving is 29 years old, and while that is still relatively young in NBA terms, his injury history doesn't bode for his future once he crosses 30. It is also a well-known fact that small guards don't age well, and Irving's influence could diminish in the upcoming years.
The Brooklyn Nets can mitigate that risk by trading for Ben Simmons, who is four years younger than Irving. Simmons is also a better athlete and rarely gets injured, which makes this a no-brainer deal for the Brooklyn Nets. In Simmons, the Nets will get a player entering his prime, and one who will be serviceable for years to come.
Simmons has been linked with a plethora of teams this summer, but the Nets could turn out to be the right destination for him.
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#2 Ben Simmons is a better player than Kyrie Irving on the defensive end
Kyrie Irving's talent on the offensive end is unquestionable, but his lackluster defense has been a cause of concern for the Brooklyn Nets for quite some time now. Irving is 29, and he is not going to improve on that end, and defense is something the Brooklyn Nets desperately lack. They have two offensive powerhouses in Kevin Durant and James Harden, and hence Ben Simmons' defensive prowess makes him a better fit alongside the two former MVPs.
Ben Simmons finished second in the NBA DPOY voting last season, losing out to Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert. He was phenomenal on the defensive side of the court, guarding players 1-5 with ease. Simmons led the NBA in steals in the 2019-20 season with 2.1 steals per game, and has been a part of the NBA All-Defensive team twice in his career already.
#1 Ben Simmons might seamlessly fit in a point forward role at the Brooklyn Nets
Ben Simmons has traditionally been played in a point guard role for the Philadephia 76ers so far. But playing him at the 1 has often forced him to exercise his worst trait, which is shooting in games. Simmons' game struggles when he is asked to shoot, and his inability to make plays on the half court in crunch moments is another reason why the point guard position might not be the best for him.
The Brooklyn Nets already have a point guard in James Harden, and if a Irving-Simmons deal ends up going through, head coach Steve Nash will be better off using the Australian international in a point forward role. Simmons could slot alongside Kevin Durant in one of the forward roles and alternate playmaking duties with Harden.
This way, the Brooklyn Nets will be taking the pressure off Ben Simmons, and he might end up excelling in this limited playmaking role. He could also improve on this aspect with time, giving the Brooklyn Nets a solid starting point guard in a few years' time, once James Harden has to be replaced.
