Inside The Rockets

NBA Trade Rumors: Nets' Ben Simmons to Rockets?

The Brooklyn Nets may look to trade Ben Simmons this summer, and the Houston Rockets could be a candidate for his next destination.

Jeremy Brener

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The Houston Rockets were once criticized for taking future draft capital instead of Ben Simmons when they were looking to trade James Harden.

While the Rockets were on the right side of history with that one, it may make sense now in 2023 to acquire Simmons from the Brooklyn Nets, who ironically acquired him for Harden in Feb. 2022.

Bleacher Report suggests that the Rockets could trade a future second-round pick for Simmons and an unprotected first-round pick in 2025.

"While Houston could chase certain bearded free agents, they could also use the money to take on bad contracts with draft incentives attached," Bleacher Report writes. "Enter Simmons, who fits this roster as a pass-first point guard who can defend multiple positions. Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabari Smith Jr. and company can still get their shots up, as Simmons has seemed perfectly content deferring to others."

This deal is a simple salary dump, but given the fact that the Rockets have more cap space than any team in the league, Houston can afford to take on a deal like this. Simmons has two years left on his deal worth about $78 million. The Rockets could treat Simmons like John Wall and simply ask him not to show or allow him to continue rehabbing his injuries without the pressure to play in front of some of the team's younger pieces.

The idea of Simmons, and who he once was, would fit the Rockets really well. However, the reality is that Simmons is a shell of his former self and is not worth the money that he's being paid. That being said, some team has to pay him this season, and if the Rockets can get an unprotected first-round pick while only giving up a measly second-round selection, the price may be right for Houston.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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