Nets silent at trade deadline; Ben Simmons negotiating buyout
NEW YORK — Thursday’s trade deadline came and went, and the Nets were silent. There were rumblings that veterans such as Cam Johnson, Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe could be on the move, but no deals were made, and all three remain in Brooklyn for now.
“Our group has handled it great, because our group has been involved in [rumors] from the beginning,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said ahead of Wednesday’s 119-102 loss to the Washington Wizards at Barclays Center. “That’s the reason why they just kept working and kept competing. These last few days are no different than weeks ago.”
Johnson, who returned from a six-game absence on Wednesday, was the most sought-after of the bunch. The Nets were seeking two first-round picks or equivalent for his services. Teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies and the Cleveland Cavaliers showed interest in the soon-to-be 29-year-old. None were willing to meet that asking price.
Johnson has averaged 19.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 36 games this season while shooting 48.8% from the field, 90.2% from the free-throw line and 41.7% from distance. He has two years left on his current deal worth $21.5 million annually and remains a valuable asset even if Brooklyn couldn’t find a suitable trade partner this cycle.
“It’s always great to have him,” Fernandez said of Johnson. “Leadership in the right way. He creates attention. He makes everyone’s life easier; not just his teammates but also me. So, it’s great to have him, great connector, great leader.”
Earlier in the season, the rebuilding Nets traded Dennis Schröder and a second-round pick to the Golden State Warriors for De’Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman, and three second-round picks. In a separate deal, Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton were dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks.
Now that the trade deadline has passed, teams will shift their focus to the buyout market, and Ben Simmons is reportedly in the process of negotiating his own buyout with the Nets. He is making $40.3 million this season and is in the final year of a $177 million deal. He’s averaged 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 33 games this season after a pinched nerve in his lower back limited him to just 15 games last season.
If Simmons were to become a free agent, Cleveland and the Los Angeles Clippers are viewed as potential suitors. The seven teams that aren’t allowed to sign a player who is waived and had a pre-existing salary of at least $12.8 million are the Celtics, Nuggets, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks and Suns.
Brooklyn commands 31 total draft picks over the next seven years — 15 first-round picks and 16 second-round picks. That includes four first-round picks and one second in 2025. The 2025 draft lottery will be held in Chicago on May 12.
The Nets fell to 17-34 following Wednesday’s loss to Washington. They currently hold the sixth-best lottery odds entering Thursday’s games, one game out of fifth place and 4.5 games out of third.
