The Brooklyn Nets are gearing up for a playoff run without one of its primary stars. Although Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will be ready, Ben Simmons won't be.
Although trading James Harden seemed to be the Nets' only real choice, trading for Simmons proved to be costly. Durant, in an MVP-caliber season, will likely be heading home early because of the team's inability to remain high in the standings.
Brooklyn has been waiting patiently for Simmons to return, and there had previously been some hope about it. According to The Athletic's Joe Vardon, Simmons has been at Nets practices more often, which gives off the impression that he will be back soon. Head coach Steve Nash dashed those hopes and made it clear that he has no timetable.
“Clearly, we’d love to have Ben play for us,” Nash said. “We will hopefully get him back. At the same time, every day, we can’t put our feet in the air because we don’t know when or if it’s going to happen.”
Brooklyn has seen lengthy absences for each of its key players this season. Simmons has yet to debut for the Nets, which has been a big reason why they are entering the homestretch of the regular season in the play-in-game territory. Even if he does come back, it will be too little, too late.
This season has been extremely frustrating for the Nets, though they should be able to bounce back next season with a healthy Simmons. He could be the perfect third star because of his playmaking and defense.
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