Nets Trio Offseason Trade Drama Discussed as Brooklyn Makes Decisions
One offseason conversation the Brooklyn Nets are certainly going to have with Kyrie Irving surrounds any possible moves in free agency, that is if you take the superstar’s remarks after the Boston sweep seriously.
Kyrie Irving discussed himself and Durant “managing the franchise together with owner Joe Tsai and Sean Marks”.
“It’s a co-management relationship,” he said of the dynamic between himself, Kevin Durant, and the Brooklyn Nets’ front office.
As Brian Windhorst of the ESPNput it, that was not “aspirational” from Kyrie Irving, it was rather “literal” and whatever moves the Net makes, both he and superstar teammate Durant have to be a part of them.
Similar talks will have to be had with Simmons as well, who is ready to make about $35 million ($A49 million) next campaign but still faces what appears to be a mental block to his return to the court.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania disclosed on ‘The Pat McAfee Show, “At this point, it’s all mental with Ben Simmons.”
“He’s got to get to the point this offseason – they have four, five months here, the Nets, Ben Simmons, people around Ben Simmons that care about him – to make sure that he gets on the right track. This is the most important offseason for Ben Simmons’ career. He’s at a crossroads of his career right now.”
Simmons, who might not know how to bet on sports, could be at risk of losing the loyal support of some sections of the locker room also as per NBA insider Brian Windhorst, who disclosed Simmons is not a “sympathetic figure” on the team.
Brooklyn Nets beat reporter Kristian Windfield described him as “another wildcard” along with Irving, a possible distraction to the title ambition of the Nets.
Scotto through opined on the Hoops Hype podcast that Brooklyn Nets are extremely sure Simmons will return next term and that the franchise has been in support at all turns. Scotto said, “The Nets envision Simmons guarding the other team’s best player at any position, one through five.”
“On offense, he’ll have the ball in transition off rebounds. He’ll initiate the offense at times as a point guard.”
But while his talent for Simmons is undeniable, what is left unknown is whether he is still competitive enough and still possesses the hunger to fully commit himself to a return on the court.
Aldridge said, “If Ben is dealing with some stuff off the floor you cannot dismiss that, you have to be respectful of that.”
“But the pursuit of a championship requires complete, total buy-in from everybody. We’ve all got to buy in.”
All of this is a result of a warning from NBA Front Office Expert Bobby Marks, who said the Nets could “be the most expensive franchise in league history” next term.
Joe Tsai (Brooklyn owner) paid $266 million in wages and tax this year alone and now has to decide if to keep the likes of Bruce Brown, Andre Drummond, Patty Mills, and Nic Claxton.
If the Brooklyn Nets run it back with the same schedule, Marks estimates it will take the side about $330 million. That doesn’t mean they should put the cleaners through the schedule though.
“If Kevin Durant sees ownership cutting costs he is basically going to walk in here and ask to be traded, that is the reality of it,” Marks said.
Looking at the Nets free agents, Bruce Brown is clearly the priority and proved one of the side’s most dependable players including in the playoffs. The Brooklyn Nets have his Bird rights and won’t have any hindrances in re-signing him, although there should be a lot of competition.
Brown will possibly take on a limited role when Simmons returns, which begs the key question — should Brooklyn Net pay up, even if he is not going to have a similar impact?
