The Brooklyn Nets have gone through most of their offseason already as they have completed their 2023 NBA Draft and have most of the moves that they’ll make through free agency. At this moment, the Nets are going through summer league and are getting good looks at incoming rookies in Jalen Wilson and Noah Clowney.
Right now, Brooklyn has to worry about the health of Ben Simmons with regards to his ability to play next season. Recent reports have detailed that Simmons’ recovery from a nerve impingement in his back that ended his 2022-23 season prematurely in March has been going better than expected.
With that being said, if the Nets are going to make the playoffs and be better than a first-round exit kind of squad, they need Simmons to get close to his All-Star form. However, if the team feels like they cannot wait any longer for Simmons to get to that point, this mock trade by James Piercey of the NBA Analysis Network could be something to consider before next season starts:
The Mock Trade:
Brooklyn Nets receive: DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso
Chicago Bulls receive: Ben Simmons, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI via BKN), and 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL via BKN)
Should the Nets do this trade?
In this mock deal, the Nets would be getting players in DeRozan and Caruso that can contribute right away to Brooklyn being a viable team in the playoffs. DeRozan would be the best scorer on the team and would also take some of the scoring burden off of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson while Caruso would be another guard who can come off the bench and affect the game with his defense.
On the other hand, the Nets would be giving up some of their valuable draft capital along with a player in Simmons who has been disappointing so far in his Brooklyn tenure, but is still someone who there are still some unknowns that have to be addressed. When healthy, and playing well, Simmons is a player who could be immensely valuable for his team given his versatility to play in almost any kind of lineup if his mind is right.
Ultimately, this would be a play for the present for Brooklyn as they would give up someone who could potentially turn things around and three first-round picks that would be useful down the line if any of Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Dallas falter soon. Still, if Brooklyn wants to compete right now, getting DeRozan and Caruso would be a great move for them if a deal of that nature ever transpired.
Verdict: Yes, the Nets should do this trade.
Story originally appeared on Nets Wire