Nets Lost The Ben Simmons Trade, Still Owe Him $114M

In February, the blockbuster James Harden-Ben Simmons trade looked like a win for both sides — but that was assuming the latter would play.

Now the Sixers are a win from advancing, while the Nets are on the brink of elimination — and two months since the trade, Simmons still hasn’t suited up. 

According to reports, when he told the team he wouldn’t play Monday, he was met with “surprise and disappointment.”

The Simmons experiment is just the latest failure in a very underwhelming season for a team with the second-biggest payroll ($174.8M) in the NBA.

• The Nets traded Harden and Paul Millsap to Philly for Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks.
• Despite shooting 41% (2nd-worst in career), Harden is on the court and a pivotal piece in Philadelphia’s title pursuit.
• Simmons is owed $113.7 million through 2025.

Perhaps Brooklyn saved face by avoiding the five-year, $260 million extension Harden will reportedly demand this summer — but the Nets have already committed $116.4 million to Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Simmons for next season.

One year removed from an Eastern Conference Semifinals, Brooklyn — the third Finals favorite entering the postseason — is likely headed for a first-round exit.

Meanwhile, Simmons will be watching from the sidelines “pain free.”