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Here’s how Ben Simmons helps the Knicks in Donovan Mitchell trade talks

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 21: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action against Patty Mills #8 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 21, 2022 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Jazz 114-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 21: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action against Patty Mills #8 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 21, 2022 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Jazz 114-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks fans, you should be thankful for Ben Simmons. Yes, the same Ben Simmons that played for the Philadelphia 76ers and was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. You might be wondering why you should care about him, but him being on the Nets makes a Donovan Mitchell trade to Brooklyn incredibly difficult.

According to Tony Jones of The Athletic (subscription required), the three-time All-Star has three preferred trade destinations. Those teams are New York, Miami, and Brooklyn. It’s obvious that out of the three that the Nets are the least likely landing spot for Mitchell, especially when you consider Simmons’ contract.

In order to successfully complete a trade for Mitchell, Brooklyn would have to get rid of Simmons. That’s where the CBA comes in. The Nets can’t have both Mitchell and Simmons on the roster because of a CBA provision that prohibits a team from having two rookie contracts on the roster that were both acquired via trade.

Ben Simmons is the reason why Knicks don’t have to worry about a Nets-Donovan Mitchell trade

Ben Simmons signed a five-year, $170 million contract extension with the Sixers in July of 2019, so there are still three years left on his current deal. With the Kevin Durant trade sweepstakes ending (for now), the Nets likely aren’t exploring a Donovan Mitchell trade even though the team’s reportedly one of his preferred destinations.

After Brooklyn completed a James Harden-Ben Simmons trade with Philadelphia shortly before the deadline in February, the 2016 No. 1 pick didn’t play in a game for the Nets to end the 2021-22 season due to issues with his back. Simmons was expected to make an appearance in Game 4 of the playoffs against the Celtics, but he reportedly woke up the day before the game with back soreness.

Brooklyn trading Simmons in order to acquire Mitchell wouldn’t make sense, especially now that KD and Kyrie Irving are going to be suiting up for the Nets in 2022-23. And knowing Danny Ainge, he’d ask Brooklyn for KD in a trade for Mitchell (that’s only somewhat of a joke).

Although the probability of a Donovan Mitchell-Nets trade is extremely low because of Simmons, the guard will still likely end up in the same division as Brooklyn. The Knicks-Nets matchups would become that much more exciting with Mitchell suiting up for the superior New York team.

So thank you, Ben Simmons. Your services to the cause of the Knicks trading for Donovan Mitchell are much appreciated.

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