Nets’ Ben Simmons Match Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Plus Possible Return Date

Ben Simmons has entered the biggest deal at this season’s trade deadline, with the 76ers trading him to the Nets for James Harden. Now that the transaction is official, Simmons was introduced to the media as a member of the Nets for the first time on Tuesday.

Simmons is yet to play a game this season. There’s no timetable for his return yet – “I don’t have a date yet but I’m starting to ramp it up” he say — but he seems excited to share the floor with both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn.

When asked about their fit together, Simmons said he thought “it would be scary.”

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“There were guys running with me, different weapons on the floor,” said Simmons. “At the speed we wanted to play, it wouldn’t be realistic.”

When asked about playing alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons said, “I think it’s going to be scary.” 👀

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– (@sportingnews) February 15, 2022

1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons has grown into one of the best young stars in the league. He’s won three All-Star picks and one All-NBA Third Team pick so far in his career, boasting an average of 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists. create each match. The Simmons are a one-man sabotage team in transition and have established themselves as an elite defender, having finished second in last season’s Defensive Player of the Year poll.

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Simmons says he hopes to play the way he did early in his Brooklyn career, particularly Philadelphia’s first series against Miami in the 2018 NBA Playoffs when he plays alongside JJ Redick, Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli.

“I think it’s just about staying aggressive, playing to my strengths and that’s being a player and doing the right plays, setting up my players. And then defending, obviously. is to lock down the people I need to lock.

“I’m excited to be on the ring with these guys. Incredible team, amazing talent.”

Having lost nine of their last 10 games, the Nets are currently in eighth place on the Eastern Conference standings with a 30-27 record. Durant still out with a MCL Sprain and as it is now, Irving, who was in the same group above part-time statusonly eligible to play in eight more games.