Zach Lowe is not a fan of playing Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton together

The Brooklyn Nets have a talented roster headlined by Cameron Thomas and Mikal Bridges. That duo is superb at contributing to the offense with scoring and playmaking. There is a solid supporting cast behind them, as the Nets have talented names.

That includes superb players like Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton, but some people won’t like their fit alongside each other. According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Simmons and Clax are reliable defenders and good scorers within the paint, but their lack of shooting might be a problem for Brooklyn.

Nice design from the Nets here. Curry screens for Simmons (works with how teams play off him) and pops. Notice Claxton in the corner, flashes and it goes right to two man game with Curry cutting. Claxton with a fake handoff. Next time down they get a lob for Curry. pic.twitter.com/NER6xG5j1p
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) January 18, 2023

“You can't blame the Brooklyn Nets for trying after trades and injuries thinned their wing rotation, but it's time to close the book on Simmons and Claxton playing real minutes together. There is no space to operate with two total non-shooters clogging the paint,” Lowe wrote in his usual 10 Things I Like + Don’t Like article.

The duo can work

Contrary to what Lowe is saying, there is an argument for Ben and Nic playing at the same time. With the Aussie guard healthier, the chemistry between these two players could improve to the point where they work together well.

However, it will require self-accountability from all parties involved, especially Simmons. The former All-Star should do his best to keep improving his free-throw shooting because of his previous aversion to shooting from the charity stripe.

Simmons and Claxton will improve as a duo when the former is willing to attack the basket and shoot free throws better. That can also help the other Nets players get open looks because teams would be wary of the Simmons to Claxton lob.

Nets using Ben Simmons in the short roll gets Claxton the wide open lob pic.twitter.com/aqND6h4fNI
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) October 13, 2022

Coach Vaughn must maximize his rotation

Lowe suggested in his piece that Coach Jacque Vaughn should do his best to limit the minutes the duo play together. It can be challenging to keep mixing up the rotation, but Vaughn has the talent in his roster to keep winning.

Pairing Dennis Schroder with Claxton can be the best option for a point guard and center dynamic. Simmons would love to play in a small-ball lineup where he’s a ball handler and guards the big men on defense.

There are plenty of possibilities with Coach Vaughn’s rotation, but it’s safe to say he has a talented squad. He must maximize the team’s talent because Brooklyn can surprise other Eastern Conference teams in the Playoff race.

For better or worse, Claxton is going to have a lot of these short roll opportunities this year. Has to stay more composed than this, (travel) but not awful process pic.twitter.com/BzZGC1nppT
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) October 21, 2022

The duo can work

Coach Vaughn must maximize his rotation

Mikal Bridges does not mind having his close friends playing in the same city