“He’s not a good fit, he is the fit” Skip Bayless believes the Nets wouldn’t pick 3x All-Star over Ben Simmons
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Skip Bayless talks about Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell trade
Brooklyn Nets and Ben Simmons would be pleased after multiple trade rumors surrounding their superstar players Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have not turned to anything serious. Moreover, after series of discussions and possible trade destinations, KD and Kyrie would be playing for the Nets only in the 2023 season. Simmons would be pleased for getting a chance to play with them, and form the Nets’ new big 3, dreamt of at the time of his trade. But sadly, there have been reports that the Brooklyn Nets are interested in Donovan Mitchell and might have to trade Ben Simmons to complete the deal. Experienced analyst Skip Bayless believes that it would be the wrong move and even said that Simmons is the perfect fit for the Nets.
Reacting to the rumors, Skip Bayless, on his famous “Undisputed: Skip and Shannon,” show said that Simmons’ defensive prowess makes him a better candidate at the Nets. But he also argued that the Nets might need to work on a former Philly star to have better output from him.
Skip Bayless said, “If he’s 100% right, and they can get him a little righter at the late game free-throw line or at least walk around that, he’s a way better fit at six feet ten inches tall, can defend point guards or center. That’s just what the doctor ordered for the Brooklyn Nets.”
Skip Bayless opposes Ben Simmons’ trade for Donovan Mitchell.
While Simmons entered the league 1 year prior to Mitchell, he sat out his rookie season due to an early injury, but 2018 was his debut season in the league. So, both players started their journey together in NBA but it was Simmons who won the rookie of the year award over Donovan Mitchell. Though players have never won any team awards, Simmons personally has more accolades over the New York-born Mitchell.
Pointing out the difference between the two players, Skip said, “He’s not a good fit. He is the fit. He’s exactly why I think they should be on paper favorite to win it all because they’re better right now on paper than they were a year ago, to me, with even James Harden, another guy for who the defense is an afterthought. Even though he can steal the ball and disrupt, he’s not an on-ball defender.”
If the Nets want to add Donovan Mitchell to their roster, they need to part ways with Ben Simmons, as they can’t have 2 players on rookie extension at the same time. So if the Nets and Utah are looking to swap their 3-time All-Stars, the Nets would get more offensively explosive at the expense of some defensive stability. Simmons is yet to play a game for the Nets since joining in the 2021-2022 mid-season trade. However, many believe he will complement Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Skip added, “I can’t even fathom how this is a possibility but apparently, according to multiple reports, both sides have considered and are considering making this deal. And the only way it makes sense is if Ben Simmons winds up in Utah.”
As of now the Nets were shopping for Kevin Durant only following his trade request, but now that they have all their contract situations sorted out, they are looking to bolster their roster. Mitchell’s addition would undoubtedly bring more scoring to the Nets team. After KD and Irving were shut down in the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, one could understand their need for a third scoring option. But this season the Nets would also welcome Joe Harris, who missed the 2022 playoff due to injury, so scoring wouldn’t be much of an issue for the Nets.
But importantly, the Nets have struggled with defense in recent years, an area Simmons will help shore up. He is an elite perimeter defender but his versatility can be a massive advantage for the Nets. 6’11” young star can play the center position as well as the guard position.
It seems that the Nets have a better chance of making a deep run in the playoffs with 26-year-old Australian. Another upside Ben Simmons brings is his passing, averaging 7.7 assists in his career. After poor 2021 and 2020 playoffs, the Nets can finally have a balanced roster to make a deep run in the postseason.
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