What Schröder trade means for Ben Simmons

• Nets trade Schroder to Warriors for Melton, Beekman, and picks
• Move signals potential tanking strategy for Brooklyn
• Ben Simmons' future with Nets remains uncertain

More minutes. Ben Simmons, with his $40+ million expiring contract, becomes a key player in the Brooklyn Nets rebuild or his trade stocks go up with Dennis Schroder's trade to the Golden State Warriors.

The Nets acquired De'Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman, and three second-round picks.

The Brooklyn Nets (10-16) started the 2024-25 NBA season unexpectedly well despite expectations they would tank after trading Mikal Bridges and reacquiring their future draft picks. Veterans Dorian Finney-Smith, Cam Johnson, Dennis Schroder, and scorer Cam Thomas, the Nets stayed competitive.

Schroder was playing more than 33 minutes and Simmons 25 per game.

NBA insiders are speculating the Nets are now positioning themselves for the 2025 NBA Draft because talks are also underway to move Johnson and Finney-Smith, which would improve Brooklyn’s lottery odds.

Simmons, 28, is unlikely to be traded because of his high salary and diminished value but he is now the Nets lead guard role to re-establish himself or increase is trade appeal. Simmons is in his last year of the max deal he signed with Philadelphia but a buyout is really not on table unless he fails to improve — or, gets worse.

Brooklyn will have a league-high $70 million in cap space next offseason, setting up for a full rebuild. Simmons’ future beyond this season is uncertain, but the opportunity to showcase his playmaking and defensive skills could determine his next step.

Nets embrace rebuild strategy

The Schroder trade appears to be the first domino to fall in Brooklyn's plan to fully embrace a rebuild. NBA insiders had predicted the Nets would look to move their veteran players in December, with Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson supposedly drawing interest from other teams.

Brooklyn's decision to rebuild comes after a surprisingly competitive start to the season, where they held a 5-8 record in mid-November despite a challenging schedule and mounting injuries. However, the team's current roster construction left them in a precarious position — not good enough to contend for a playoff spot, but not bad enough to secure a high draft pick.

Ben Simmons' uncertain future

The Nets' pivot towards rebuilding raises questions about Ben Simmons' future with the team. The Australian point guard is in the final year of his contract, earning over $40 million this season. While his expiring deal could make him attractive bait, his injury history and diminished form complicate potential moves.

NBA insider Jake Fischer said Simmons could be an intriguing trade target for teams looking to clear cap space for the upcoming offseason. But the complexities of matching his high salary under the new CBA make a trade challenging to execute.

With Schroder's departure, Simmons is now Brooklyn's clear lead guard, potentially providing him with an opportunity to showcase his playmaking skills and rebuild his value. This increased role could make a buyout less likely, as Simmons may prefer to play out the season and enter free agency after the 2024-25 season.

The bottom line is, Simmons performance for the remainder of the 2024-25 season will likely play a crucial role in determining his next destination, whether that be with Brooklyn or elsewhere in the NBA as an unrestricted free agent.

The Nets play Toronto Raptors (Game Centre) next on December 20, 2024.