The Nets are coming into the 2023-24 season with tepid expectations. Brooklyn made the playoffs last year, but the team went 13-15 after the trade deadline and was swept in a four-game first round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
It’s safe to say that the Nets are not guaranteed a playoff spot next year. One potential hope for Brooklyn next season is Ben Simmons.
SNY’s Ian Begley reported last week that Simmons has completed rehab, is 100 percent healthy and working on skills and conditioning.
In 42 games last season, Simmons put up career lows of 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. Back and left knee injuries cost Simmons nearly half of the season. Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 season as well.
When he did suit up, Simmons was not the same threat that won Rookie of the Year and made three All-Star teams while averaging at least 14 points over four consecutive seasons in Philadelphia.
Despite all of the negatives working against him, Simmons can still help the Nets by adding vibrance to a sometimes-bland offense.
After trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving before the trade deadline, Brooklyn was 22nd in offensive efficiency, scoring 113.0 points per 100 possessions. Even more alarming, the Nets were 27th in percentage of points coming on fast breaks after the All-Star break, per NBA Stats.
With Durant and Irving on the roster, the Nets could play more methodical and a slower half court-styled game because of both players’ ability to score in isolation or the pick and roll.