Kevin Durant, Suns Lose to Nets as Ben Simmons, Tyrese Martin Surprise NBA Fans
Nov 28, 2024
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 27: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns posts up on Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Footprint Center on November 27, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets beat the Phoenix Suns 127-117 Wednesday behind a promising game from Ben Simmons and a career game from Tyrese Martin.
Simmons, who has little to show for through his first three seasons in Brooklyn, had 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the win. His 14 points were the most he has had in an NBA game since November 2022 in his first season with the Nets.
Along with a good game from Simmons, Martin put up a career-high 30 points on 8-of-10 from deep. Coming into the game, the third-year player had logged just 31 points across his entire career.
Suns' star Kevin Durant, going against his former team for the first time this season, put up 29 in his second game back from injury while Devin Booker recorded 31 points. The Phoenix stars' performances weren't enough and the Suns have now lost six of their last seven games.
After the game, fans were stunned to see strong performances from Simmons and Martin.
Ben Simmons is learning how to play the sport of basketball again.
The Nets are still far from being a championship-contending team, but Wednesday was a good sign that things are moving in the right direction in Brooklyn.
Simmons' play in the win was reminiscent of his days with the Philadelphia 76ers when he nearly averaged a triple-double and seemed like one of the best young players in the league. Simmons has had some setbacks over the last few years, but if he can string a few more games like Wednesday's together it might give him some much-needed confidence.
As for Martin, he has to feel good about himself after his scoring outburst against the Suns. The young player will likely see his number get called more often moving forward if he can keep hitting shots from deep.
NBA Rumors: Nets' Cam Thomas Out 3-4 Weeks with Hamstring Injury
Nov 27, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Cam Thomas #24 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 25, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets were off to a solid start in a season where they're known to be rebuilding, but their lineup took a major hit on Wednesday.
Per ESPN's Shams Charania, Nets leading scorer and rising star guard Cam Thomas will miss three to four weeks due to a left hamstring strain.
Thomas had been in the midst of a career year with averages of 24.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 46.1 percent shooting from the field and 38.9 percent from three-point range. No other player on the Nets is averaging 20 points this season.
Charania noted that Thomas suffered the hamstring strain at some point during Brooklyn's trip to the West Coast. He scored 34 points on 11-of-22 shooting in a win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday and followed that up with 23 points in a win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday.
The Nets have an 8-10 record entering Wednesday night's road matchup against the Phoenix Suns. Brooklyn was expected to be among the teams in the running for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, but first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez has been able to bring the best out of a young roster that lacks star power.
Unfortunately, Thomas' injury is a setback the Nets might not be able to overcome. Veteran point guard Dennis Schroder will likely take over as the focal point of the offense, while swingman Cam Johnson will also be depended on more amid his impressive year. Johnson is averaging a career-high 18.3 points while shooting 49.8 percent from the field and 43.1 percent from beyond the arc, but there aren't many other bright spots for Brooklyn.
The Nets will have to get used to life without Thomas starting in Wednesday's game against the Suns.
Nets' Ben Simmons Says He Loves Boos from 76ers Fans: 'Comes with the Game'
Nov 22, 2024
BROOKLYN, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets during an Emirates NBA Cup game on November 19, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons says he is looking forward to hearing boos from Philadelphia 76ers fans during Friday night's game at the Wells Fargo Center.
"Yeah, I also love that too," Simmons said about fans booing, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. "I love being in arenas where it's loud and people are booing and all that stuff. So it comes with the game. It's a part of it. And I love it."
Simmons played four seasons for the Sixers before requesting a trade from the team in 2021. He sat out the 2021-22 season and was traded to the Nets in February 2022.
The Nets and Sixers tip off at 7 p.m. ET in Philadelphia.
In Simmons' last appearance at Wells Fargo Arena, a Nets victory on Feb. 13, fans booed the former Sixer whenever he touched the ball.
Simmons told reporters after the game that the booing was "funny to me."
"I got grown men, pissed off and yelling at me... it's funny. I enjoy that. It's not that deep," Simmons said last February. "It's sports, but it comes with it, so I enjoy it."
Simmons missed the end of the 2023-24 campaign due to back issues, and in March underwent his second back surgery in three years. Head coach Jordi Fernández told reporters ahead of the season that Simmons would not be playing in back-to-backs while managing the injury.
Accordingly, Simmons has sat out one half of three back-to-back sets so far this season. He was also sidelined for a Nov. 13 contest against the Boston Celtics with what the team reported was left calf tightness.
Through 11 games and nine starts Simmons is averaging 5.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.8 assists.
After falling out of the starting rotation amid his injury management and career-low production rate, Simmons slotted back in while filling in for injured center Nic Claxton.
He went on to record his strongest outing of the campaign on Tuesday while starting in NBA Cup play against the visiting Charlotte Hornets.
Simmons recorded 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, adding nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in the Nets' 116-115 win.
Claxton is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Sixers, so Simmons could be returning to a bench role tonight. He will still look to build on Tuesday's win as the Nets hope to improve their NBA Cup knockout-round chances with a group stage win on Friday night.
NBA Trade Rumors: Nets 'Expected to Be Open for Business,' Cam Thomas Available
Nov 19, 2024
BROOKLYN, NY - NOVEMBER 1: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls and Cam Thomas #24 of the Brooklyn Nets look on during the game on November 1, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Amid a rebuilding year, the Brooklyn Nets are reportedly open to dealing some players away, including their leading scorer.
The Athletic's Sam Amick reported on Tuesday that the Nets are "expected to be open for business," and rising star guard Cam Thomas "is widely considered to be available."
The Nets are off to a 5-9 start, which is reflective of first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez getting the most out of a roster that lacks significant star power. Still, Brooklyn made it clear that the 2024-25 season would be a rebuild when it sent star swingman Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks over the summer.
With Bridges gone, Thomas has stepped up as the Nets' No. 1 option and is posting career highs across the board with averages of 24.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from three-point range.
The 23-year-old is one of the most talented young players in the NBA and would garner significant interest in the trade market.
In addition to Thomas, Amick named veterans Dennis Schröder and Bojan Bogdanović as potential candidates to be traded from Brooklyn this season.
While center Nic Claxton signed a four-year, $100 million contract extension last summer, Amick noted "the reality of the Nets' long-term plans means no one is likely off the table." Swingman Cam Johnson was also mentioned as an "intriguing" player for contending teams.
For now, Brooklyn will focus on trying to end its three-game losing streak when it hosts the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. But it won't be a surprise if the Nets roster looks very different after the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6.
NBA Trade Rumors: Nets' Schröder, Finney-Smith, Bojan Bogdanović Eyed by Rivals
Nov 10, 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 08: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Brooklyn Nets attempts a basket against Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at the TD Garden on November 08, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
A trio of Brooklyn Nets veterans are being eyed for potential trades after the first few weeks of the season.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, rival teams are expecting the Nets to make Dennis Schröder, Dorian Finney-Smith, Bojan Bogdanović available for trades before the deadline in February.
"Dennis Schröder, Dorian Finney-Smith, Bojan Bogdanović are all quality vets possessing sub-$20 million salaries and frequently mentioned by rival teams as players they expect to be moved between now and the Feb. 6 trade deadline," Stein wrote. "With first-year coach Jordi Fernandez clearly trying to win games, Brooklyn might have to ponder stripping down even earlier than it imagined."
Schröder, who is in his 11th year in the league and second with Brooklyn, is putting up 20.1 points, 6.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game, continuing his consistency as a solid member of the backcourt.
Finney-Smith is also having a solid start to the season, averaging 10 points and 5 boards per game. The ninth-year forward put up 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds last year in his second season with the Nets.
Bogdanović has yet to see any action so far this season as he continues his rehab from season-ending foot surgery he underwent in April when he was with the New York Knicks. The 11th-year veteran put up 15.2 points per game off the bench a season ago, shooting an efficient 40 percent from the field as he has done for much of his career.
All three players could be valuable additions to teams looking to compete for a championship, but whether the Nets decide to part with them is to be determined.
Under first-year head coach Jordi Fernández, the Nets are 4-6 to start the year, which is perhaps better than some expected from the team that went 32-50 a season ago. While Brooklyn won't be a Finals contender this year, it could make a surprise playoff appearance depending how the rest of the East shapes up.
The Nets could trade the three players mentioned in return for draft picks and build for the future, or they could leverage the veterans into a piece that could help them win now. Regardless, Schröder, Finney-Smith and Bogdanović should carry decent trade value.
Ben Simmons to Come Off Bench for Nets vs. Celtics amid Back Injury Management
Nov 9, 2024
BROOKLYN, NY - NOVEMBER 3: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 3, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Ben Simmons will come off the bench for the first time during the 2024-25 season on Friday.
Simmons was replaced by center Nic Claxton in the Brooklyn Nets' starting lineup ahead of a matchup with the Boston Celtics.
The forward was ruled out of the Nets' 106-104 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday as he managed a back injury, with the game occurring on the second night of back-to-back contests.
Simmons previously started in each of his first six appearances to begin the regular season.
The 28-year-old has averaged 5.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game while shooting 61.5 percent from the field this season.
Simmons has struggled to make an impact on both ends of the floor, as his minus-7.8 net rating represents the second-worst mark among Nets players to appear in at least five regular-season games (via NBA.com). On the other hand, Claxton owns the second-best net rating on the roster.
The Nets also appear to be taking a cautious approach with Simmons' playing time, as he underwent back surgery for the second time in three years on March 14. Head coach Jordi Fernández told reporters on Oct. 29 that the forward won't participate in both legs of back-to-backs moving forward.
Jordi Fernández was asked about Ben Simmons' availability in playing back-to-backs:
"Health is the most important thing for us. With Ben the plan is, for now, not to play back-to-backs until we give a different update" pic.twitter.com/cSqfsTeydI
Simmons hasn't always been a consistent member of Brooklyn's starting lineup since he was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in Sept. 2022. He's come off the bench in 12 of his 63 career appearances with the Nets.
That doesn't appear to be his preference, though. Simmons previously explained that he thinks he's "more useful starting than on the bench" when dealing with a minutes restriction during the 2023-24 season.
"I think I'm more useful starting than on the bench"
Ben Simmons says his "preference" is to start for the Nets
As the three-time All-Star attempts to bounce back from a sluggish start to the year, he'll look to make an impact as a reserve against the reigning champions on Friday.
Nets HC Wants Ben Simmons to Shoot More: 'Goal' Is 10 Shots, 'He's More Than Capable'
Nov 4, 2024
BROOKLYN, NY - NOVEMBER 3: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 3, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernández urged Ben Simmons to be more aggressive on offense.
"I want him to shoot more," Fernández told reporters on Sunday. "My goal for him is 10 [shots per game]. He's got to find a way to get there. He hasn't gotten there yet, but I know he can."
"I don't care about makes, misses," he added. "I just want to see that shots are going up. He's more than capable."
Jordi Fernandez on Ben Simmons attempting four shots in 25 minutes today:
"I want him to shoot more. My goal for him is 10 [shots per game]. He's gotta find a way to get there. He hasn't gotten there, but I know he can... Those attempts need to go up... He's more than capable." pic.twitter.com/CySkC5PU80
Simmons took just four shots during the Nets' 106-92 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, connecting on two of them. He finished with four points, six rebounds and six assists while turning the ball over three times.
The 28-year-old is averaging 4.3 attempts from the field per game in six appearances, which would represented the lowest mark of his career over the course of a full season. He hasn't put up more than five shots in a contest at the start of his 2024-25 campaign.
Simmons has still remained an efficient scorer at the rim despite the low volume, hitting 61.5 percent of his shots.
The three-time All-Star's decreased willingness to attack the basket has been a common theme throughout his career, as his scoring averaged declined in his final two years with the Philadelphia 76ers before he was traded to the Nets in Sept. 2022.
He's averaged just 6.6 points per game in 63 appearances with the organization.
Becoming a larger offensive threat could be beneficial for Simmons' long-term future as well as the present success of the team. His contract is set to expire and he'll become an unrestricted free agent during the 2025 offseason.
Simmons' next opportunity to meet the goal that Fernández set for him will come on Monday, as the Nets host the Memphis Grizzlies. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. ET.
Ben Simmons Won't Play Back-to-Backs Indefinitely amid Injury, Nets HC Says
Oct 29, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center on October 27, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets aren't planning to use Ben Simmons for both legs of back-to-backs for the foreseeable future.
Head coach Jordi Fernández told reporters the veteran guard will be out against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night with the Nets turning around and playing the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. This is the plan the team will follow until it says otherwise.
Jordi Fernández was asked about Ben Simmons' availability in playing back-to-backs:
"Health is the most important thing for us. With Ben the plan is, for now, not to play back-to-backs until we give a different update" pic.twitter.com/cSqfsTeydI
Persistent back injuries caused Simmons to miss all of 2022-23 and then appear in just 57 combined games over the next two seasons. He underwent a microscopic partial discectomy in March, which was his second back procedure in three years.
The NBA's rest policy includes exceptions that allow "star" players to miss games without violating the rules. A documented injury history is one of those exceptions, one for which Simmons would easily qualify.
More than anything, Fernández's comments reinforce how the 28-year-old is simply a sunk cost for Brooklyn at this point.
Fans have long since given up on the idea of Simmons becoming a dynamic two-way force, one who made three straight All-Star Games, ever again. Since joining the Nets, he has struggled to stay healthy, and his production has trailed well behind his Philadelphia 76ers days. He has averaged 6.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists.
More concerning than the raw numbers, Simmons still looks far too reticent around the basket for somebody with his size and skill. There's simply no reason for him to keep passing out of shot attempts in the paint like this.
Simmons is headed for free agency in the offseason and it will be fascinating to see what his market looks like. At this rate, there may not be a ton of takers.
Nets Smart to Eye Jonathan Kuminga in NBA Free Agency Amid Warriors Contract Rumors
Erik Beaston
Oct 27, 2024
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 25: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game on October 25, 2024 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jonathan Kuminga wanted "well beyond" $30 million to sign a new extension with the Golden State Warriors ahead of Monday's deadline, Monte Pool of NBC Sports Bay Area reported, but the team deemed his ask too lofty and now, the 22-year-old forward will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season.
That is, if he makes it to free agency and is not the subject of a trade before then.
Jake Fischer told B/R that there are rumblings that the Brooklyn Nets already have a trade sheet prepared for Kuminga and the Warriors (4:00).
The Nets, in the midst of an organizational rebuild, are smart to eye Kuminga.
The 0-2 squad has some pieces to be excited about, in Nic Claxton particularly, but the current roster is a mix and match collection of veterans and inexperienced players, none of which has proven particularly effective in dragging the team out of the doldrums in the Eastern Conference.
Kuminga is young, has shown sparks of a star player, and could use a change of scenery himself, amid a lack of the aforementioned extension, playing time, and the continued expectation that he proves he has earned a bigger, long-term deal.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr detailed the up-and-down history of Kuminga with the team before the start of the season, including when he had to sit him or remove him from the rotation completely.
He also spoke about his inexperience, telling Tim Kawakami of The TK Show podcast, "He's still so young, if this were 20 years ago, 30 years ago, he would have just finished his fourth year of college or his rookie year in the NBA. When you throw all that stuff in, I love where JK is right now because he's gotten so much better, but he still has room for growth which is the exciting part. So, I've talked to him about this upcoming year and what the expectations are. I'm excited about it, he's excited about it, he loves it here, he's told me that."
Whether Kuminga loves the team or not does not make up for the fact that he still does not have an extension, something Kerr also spoke on.
"I think the hardest part for him is that he doesn't have the extension yet and he's seen some of the same guys from his draft class get extensions, but he understands the business. He still has some things to prove, and he's committed to going out and doing them and I'm going to help him every step and I'm excited about it."
Kuminga played his most minutes per game in 2023-24, averaging 26.3. He scored 16.1 points a game while shooting 57.8 percent from the paint and 32.1 percent from beyond the arc, a weakness that stands out among the Warrior's otherwise trademark three-point shooting.
He added 4.8 total rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.7 steals in his strongest season to date.
Two games into the 2024-25 season, he is back below 20 minutes per game and averaged just six points per.
If the Warriors are not committed to letting him show what he can do with some expanded time on the floor, while continuing to cite Kuminga's need to prove he worth the investment, perhaps it is best for the team to seek out a trade partner and get something in return for him before he becomes a free agent next off-season.
If the Nets are willing and able amid seeking their own foundational building blocks, it would be a mutually beneficial deal.
The Warriors no longer have to count on the potentially distracting Kuminga conversations and get something in return for him, while the young forward has a chance to star for a Nets team that does not have enough quality forward depth to keep him off the court.
Is it ideal given the Warriors' questions about youthful depth behind stars Steph Curry and Draymond Green?
No, but it does pull off the proverbial Band-Aid and allow the organization to focus on maximizing the time it still has with its future Hall of Famers and potentially competing for a title rather than fielding questions and comments about when their young, potential star of the future will see the court and get paid.
Especially if Kerr and Co. are not sure that he is a fit for what they like and want to do.
Nets' Cam Johnson Talks NBA Trade Rumors: 'It's Not Even on My Mind, Really'
Oct 20, 2024
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 16: Cameron Johnson #2 of the Brooklyn Nets looks to pass the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during a NBA preseason game on October 16, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson isn't focused on trade speculation ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.
"I've been able to feel comfortable in what's going on," Johnson said, per Zach Braziller of the New York Post. "And even with the uncertainty, it's not like an uncertainty where I don't think that our staff here, our front office here, has a lack of trust in me. So I feel confident in this group. I feel confident going forward. And I'm going to compete for this team. And it's not even on my mind, really."
The sharpshooter was initially acquired by Brooklyn along with Mikal Bridges in a blockbuster Feb. 2023 trade that involved Kevin Durant heading to the Phoenix Suns.
With the Nets prioritizing their long-term future after moving Bridges to the New York Knicks in exchange for a package that featured five first-round draft picks in July, Johnson's outlook with the organization is uncertain.
Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported on July 22 that the Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers were all interested in the 28-year-old. The San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors were also listed as "dark horse" trade candidates.
Johnson still has three seasons and roughly $69 million left on his current contract.
He's been able to stay efficient since stepping into a larger role with Brooklyn. Johnson has averaged 14.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game on 45.3/38.5/81.6 shooting splits as a member of the organization.
His long-range proficiency continued prior to his 2024-25 campaign, recording 14.8 points and hitting 3.3 three-pointers per game in four preseason contests.
Johnson's ability to score in a multitude of ways and space the floor for his teammates should keep him on the radar of several teams ahead of the trade deadline, but he's not worried about a potential change of scenery as he enters the regular season.
