Ben Simmons' heart is in the right place, but Nets need to tank

The Brooklyn Nets are trying to tank. Over the next few years, they will have multiple first-round draft picks, including four for the 2025 draft. As such, the front office has been making moves to limit the team's chances of success this season.

Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith have both been traded in recent weeks. Cam Johnson is expected to be a hot commodity ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. However, it would appear that Ben Simmons has no interest in being part of Brooklyn's slide into obscurity.

"I know this is kind of like a rebuild situation, but we’ve got to go in there like we want to win regardless of what the front office is expecting," Simmons said during his postgame news conference following Sunday's loss to the Utah Jazz.

Simmons' comments are what you would expect from a player. He wants to win, and he wants to prove he can be part of a winning franchise. Part of those motivations may be for selfish reasons, though. Simmons is in the final year of his five-year, $177 million deal. He will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.

As such, Simmons' value on the free-agency market could be directly tied to the Nets' success this season and his impact on their ability to be a competitive roster. Heading into free agency after multiple disappointing years and with your previous team deep in the lottery won't do Simmons any favors when he's sitting at the negotiating table.

Still, Simmons could also risk hurting his value by going against what the front office wants. If Simmons emerges as the All-NBA talent he used to be and costs the Nets a shot at Cooper Flagg, other front offices may take a negative view of him. After all, Simmons has been far from his best for the duration of his current contract.

Sure, Simmons' heart is in the right place. Who would want to play to lose every night? Still, he's already facing an uphill battle to secure another payday. The last thing Simmons needs right now is a poor relationship with another front office. Then, the narrative surrounding him will read "disruptive and injury-prone star who is potentially past his best," and that tagline will almost certainly make it hard for him to land another job. 

Instead, Simmons is better served shining on a losing team. At least that way, he can point to his production as a reason for another roster to take a chance on him.