Why Ben Simmons' blockbuster NBA move could spell trouble

OPINION

So, Ben Simmons is now in Brooklyn as a member of the Nets during a stunning day in the NBA.

But, is this an optimal landing spot for him and is it an optimal combination for a Brooklyn team that is reeling?

'TROLL MODE': Ex-teammate's brutal response to Ben Simmons trade

'TODAY HURTS': Joe Ingles' brutal trade leaves NBA fans gutted

'HE WAS MAD': Shaq lifts the lid on confrontation with Simmons

Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, along with Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round draft picks, with James Harden and Paul Millsap heading back to Philadelphia.

First things first, Simmons and his team have not handled this situation well at all.

Holdouts such as the one Simmons executed just don’t happen in the NBA.

So that’s why it was so jarring to see an All-Star player like Simmons sitting out for the first 50+ games of the season over perceived slights from last season.

I wonder how Simmons and his team feel about heading to Brooklyn.

He will have to play in Philadelphia twice a season and could very well find himself matched up against his former team in a playoff series, as early as this season.

Will Ben Simmons play point guard at the Nets?

Simmons is also in a situation where instead of being the number one, or even the 1b, he is behind Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in the offensive pecking order. Does he even play point guard when Kyrie plays?

The Nets also have Seth Curry and Patty Mills who can handle the ball.

So, while Simmons didn’t like his situation in Philly and reportedly wanted an opportunity to be the man, his chances of doing that have fallen dramatically.

Was it worth holding out, sacrificing millions of dollars in fines to head to Brooklyn?

I’m sure Simmons will tell us it was and this is the fresh start he needed, and I’m sure he is right to a degree.

The situation in Philadelphia was toxic, some of it was Simmons’ fault, some was on Joel Embiid, Daryl Morey, Doc Rivers, and the 76ers.

But, there is no guarantee that a marriage with Durant, Irving, and Brooklyn/New York media is going to be any smoother.

At the end of the day, it’s going to be great to see Simmons back on the court, playing for a team who is competing for a title.

But, there will be dramas from a basketball sense - and maybe an off-court sense - along the way that could make for fascinating viewing.

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.