Brooklyn Nets News

Home

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Ceiling, floor for the Nets: Ben Simmons' revenge arc

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Ceiling, floor for the Brooklyn Nets: Ben Simmons' revenge arc

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 10/10/23

The Brooklyn Nets look to turn over a new leaf as they move on from their superstar-centric era that yielded forgettable returns.

Ceiling: 40-42 as Ben Simmons re-emerges alongside Mikal Bridges

Gone from Brooklyn are Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, as are the team's sky-high expectations. Instead, the Nets enter 2023-24 looking towards the future, building around new franchise centerpiece Mikal Bridges.

Bridges elevated his play exponentially upon arriving in Brooklyn last season, averaging 8.9 PPG more with the Nets than he did over the 56 games he played with the Phoenix Suns. Ideally, Bridges will be joined by Ben Simmons on the court this season, as the duo logged just 21 total minutes together in 2022-23.

Simmons, who was limited to just 42 games a season ago, looked healthy and confident in the Nets preseason opener, finishing with 10 points and a team-high three assists.

The former No. 1 overall pick looks destined for a bounce-back campaign and should fit in nicely alongside Spencer Dinwiddie in Brooklyn's backcourt.

Ben Simmons looked sharp in the first half

10 PTS
4/6 FG
3 AST pic.twitter.com/R3zxTQf1mT
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 10, 2023

While the Nets probably aren't equipped to win a playoff series, Simmons and company should be competitive this season, battling for a play-in spot.

With an intriguing roster and a slew of draft picks at their disposal after the Durant trade, the arrow is pointing up in Brooklyn.

Ben Simmons - 27 years old
Cam Thomas - 21 years old
Mikal Bridges - 27 years old
Cam Johnson - 27 years old
Nic Claxton - 24 years old

10 first round picks over the next 7 seasons.

If Simmons and Thomas are difference makers, Brooklyn’s long-term outlook could be incredibly… pic.twitter.com/aGh2JlxXDH
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) October 10, 2023

Floor: 35-47 and on the outside looking in at the playoffs

Ultimately, the Nets floor depends on the availability and mind state of Simmons. It's been over two years since Simmons has served as a plus player — let alone play at his former All-Star level.

While word out of Brooklyn surrounding Simmons is currently positive, the vibe could quickly go south if he begins to miss games.

On the court, Simmons' liabilities as a shooter are well-documented (a career 13.9% three-point shooter). While some teams can make do with a pass-first/only point guard, masking Simmons' deficiencies will prove difficult for Brooklyn.

No team lost more outside shooting this offseason than the Nets, who saw Seth Curry, Yuta Watanabe, Joe Harris and Patty Mills depart this summer.

In a top-heavy Eastern Conference, the Nets are utter afterthoughts. That mostly won't change as the season progresses, regardless of Simmons' play.

More must-reads: