Ever since his trade request from the Brooklyn Nets, speculation has been rife regarding Kevin Durant and a possible move to the Phoenix Suns.
But by the same token, it’s well acknowledged that, given Deandre Ayton’s re-signing with the franchise, the Suns capacity to land Durant now borders on impossible.
With the Phoenix Suns lacking necessary value to acquire Kevin Durant, could they turn their attention to his All-Star level teammate?
While Phoenix may not have the pieces to add a top level superstar like Durant, they do have the salary pieces, and necessary draft capital, to bring in another maximum contract level player.
Ben Simmons is one of the most divisive players the league has seen in recent times – a former number one overall pick blessed with immense talent, yet whose commitment to the game and getting better is constantly under question.
Simmons most recently missed the entire 2021-22 season. He firstly refused to play for the Philadelphia 76ers after a meltdown in the 2021 playoffs, before failing to debut for the Nets due to a perplexing back issue.
Before his controversial past 12-18 months, Simmons has been a very good NBA player. A three-time All-Star and All-NBA Third Team member in 2020, the Australian is one of the best defenders in the league having twice made the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
While he’s yet to take the floor with the Nets, given the speculation around Durant and Kyrie Irving, Simmons’ future is also a source of discussion. Part of that is his trade value, a significant reason as to why it took so long for him to be eventually traded last season.
Simmons could be gettable, particularly if the Nets deal Durant and/or Irving and decide he isn’t a player to build around. If that were to be the case, here’s how the Nets could go all in on their short and long-term outlook.
"Phoenix Suns Receive: Ben Simmons Brooklyn Nets Receive: Jae Crowder, Landry Shamet, Dario Saric, Three future first-round picks"
Many may find Simmons a strange piece to go ‘all in’ on, especially given the last year or so and his general sense of unreliability. From a purely on-court basketball perspective though, Simmons could be the perfect compliment to the Suns current roster.