Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Trade Rumors: Nets' Ben Simmons to Spurs?
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The San Antonio Spurs are hoping to get the No. 1 pick in this summer's NBA Draft.
But regardless of whether or not French phenom Victor Wembanyama ends up with the Spurs, the team could trade for one in Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons.
Bleacher Report proposed the idea for the Nets to trade Simmons to the Spurs, along with a 2023 first-round pick from the Phoenix Suns, for Doug McDermott.
"If there was ever an organization and coaching staff that could bring Simmons back to an All-Star level, however, it would be the San Antonio Spurs," Bleacher Report writes.
"The Spurs are also in terrific financial shape, with a swap of Simmons and McDermott still only bringing San Antonio's 2023-24 salary total to $108.3 million, leaving them with approximately $25.7 million in cap space. The Spurs also add another first-round pick this summer, currently projected to be 21st overall."
Simmons is currently dealing with an injury that has knocked him out for the rest of the season, but there is potential for him to return next season. He currently has two years left on his deal worth roughly $78 million.
The Spurs are looking for youth, and the pick attached to Simmons certainly helps San Antonio's rebuild. On top of that, the potential of revitalizing Simmons' career could be the ultimate low-risk, high-reward move that could accelerate the Spurs rebuild a couple seasons and bring them back into relevancy in the NBA.
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