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Kevin Durant reportedly would have been willing to stay with the Brooklyn Nets last season after Kyrie Irving’s departure if Ben Simmons were healthy.
Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported Simmons’ health also played a factor in Durant forcing a February trade to the Phoenix Suns.
Simmons was limited to 42 games last season due to injuries and looked like a shell of his former self when on the floor. He averaged career lows in points (6.9), rebounds (6.3) and assists (6.1) while showing a noteworthy regression on defense.
The idea that Simmons’ presence would have been enough to fix the strained relationship between Durant and Nets management seems unlikely. Durant had already requested a trade once in the summer of 2022 amid his frustration with the franchise, and Irving’s departure was the final straw.
Most expected Simmons to be 100 percent healthy at the beginning of last season when Durant was angling for a trade in the first place. If Simmons’ health was such a paramount issue, then it’s unlikely Durant would have wanted out ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
Perhaps if Simmons were healthy and playing All-Star-caliber basketball neither Durant nor Irving would have angled for a trade. The Nets may have been an Eastern Conference championship competitor rather than a frustrating also ran with depth issues and questionable coaching.
As it stands, the Nets will be holding their breath hoping for a return to form from Simmons this season. The three-time All-Star is owed more than $78 million over the next two seasons, and the Nets would love to get some return on their investment after getting next to nothing a year ago.
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