Brooklynn Nets:
"Jazz Receive: Ben Simmons, 2 1st Rd Draft Picks Nets Receive: Jordan Clarkson, Talen Horton-Tucker, Simone Fontecchio"
With Houston having most of the Nets picks from the James Harden trade, Brooklynn has no reason to lose. With multiple wings and an up-and-coming big in Claxton, the only thing missing for the Nets are healthy, playable guards. Simmons has been in and out of the lineup since his arrival and the Nets should be looking to get off his contract. 2 first-round picks is not crazy to expect from a trade like this. No team will take Ben Simmons and his contract for anything less than a first-round pick, and the Utah Jazz shouldn’t part ways with Jordan Clarkson without one either.
Clarkson adds a shot creator to help alleviate the offensive burden off of emerging star, Mikal Bridges who was acquired in the Kevin Durant trade during the 2022-23 trade deadline. What Jordan Clarkson lacks on the defensive end, the former 1st team all defensive wing will make up for. Clarkson also gets a reunion with former Utah Jazz teammate, Royce O’neale.
Cam Thomas had a surprising emergence for the Nets last season putting on one of the most impressive 3 game streaks, becoming the youngest NBA player to ever score at least 40 points in three consecutive games. While Clarkson’s skillset overlaps with Thomas’s, you can never have too much firepower in your rotation.