The Brooklyn Nets were one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA last season. Despite boasting three stars on the roster at all times, various circumstances led to an embarrassing first-round sweep from the postseason.
Ben Simmons’ status has been a hot topic of conversation for the team ever since the end of the playoffs. Some teammates were frustrated that he didn’t suit up and try to help out in the Boston Celtics series, but his subsequent surgery quieted a lot of that talk.
Even still – many are wondering if perhaps he isn’t the right fit for Brooklyn.
And if that proves to be the case, there is at least one squad with genuine interest in him.
According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the Atlanta Hawks are a team to keep an eye on in the case of Simmons.
“I’d also keep an eye on Simmons, too,” he wrote.
“Several people inside the Hawks’ organization wanted Simmons at the trade deadline. The price might not be as high to land him now, especially if Brooklyn decides to move on before he plays one game for the Nets.”
It feels like everyone within the Nets organization is frustrated with how things went in 2021-22. Nobody, including the team’s star players like Kyrie Irving, are immune from the criticisms.
Are the Nets committed to Kyrie Irving long-term?
“He has some decisions to make on his own. We’re looking for guys that want to be something bigger than themselves, play team basketball, and be available. That goes for Kyrie and everybody here.” pic.twitter.com/yRoLbayv8Z
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) May 11, 2022
“[Irving] has some decisions to make on his own,” GM Sean Marks said this week. “We’re looking for guys that want to be something bigger than themselves, play team basketball, and be available. That goes for Kyrie and everybody here.”
And Marks was doubly blunt regarding Simmons’ status.
“Do they want to be part of this? Are they motivated by something that’s not good for the whole team here? Those are questions we have to ask ourselves and the players that we want to bring back.”
– Sean Marks on team-building with Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons pic.twitter.com/aIaEUAwQyA
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) May 11, 2022
“We’re gonna be doing everything we possibly can to get him around,” Marks said of Simmons. “He needs to be in here, smell the gym again, be around his friends, around his family, participate in this.”
It obviously couldn’t have been easy for Marks seeing Simmons galivanting around with his girl while being “unable” to suit up for his team in the playoffs.
The Nets are going to be a fascinating squad to keep an eye on going forward.
Yikes. https://t.co/GLvH9P4St2
— Game 7 (@game7__) May 11, 2022
If they come back and win a championship next season, obviously all of the Nets’ woes from this year will be forgotten.
But should Brooklyn come up short again in 2022-23, major changes will likely need to be made top to bottom.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
