The NBA playoffs are in full swing, but all this has nothing to do with the Nets, as this year's title favorite, they were swept out by the young Celtics in the first round when Durant and Irving were all healthy and did not miss a game, which was unexpected.
After another frustrating season, the Nets must reflect deeply on the season, find their weak points, and make targeted reinforcements in the offseason. However, what worries people is that the Nets' salary space is basically locked up today, it is difficult to have a big reinforcement, and the offseason can basically only be the basic salary Taobao.
Durant has four years left on his contract with the Nets and a salary of $44.11 million next season; Irving has one year left on his contract with the Nets, with player options, and a salary of $36.93 million next season; simmons has three years left on his contract with the Nets and a salary of $35.44 million next season. The Big Three's salaries add up to $116 million, and if you add up to other guaranteed contracts, the Nets' guaranteed salary next season is $156.6 million (if you don't trade)!
According to Shams in early April, the salary cap for the 2022-23 season is expected to be $122 million, and the luxury tax line is $147 million. The Nets' big three have almost burst the salary cap, and it is difficult to have heavy reinforcements. Maybe some fans will say that it is possible to trade, but it is very difficult.
First of all, Durant is not for sale, and the Nets will not trade him unless he has to go himself.
As for Irving, who has player options next season, he has more than once expressed his desire to leave Durant and not want to play for teams other than the Nets, and after being swept by the Celtics, Irving has expressed his willingness to renew his contract with the team. So, whether the Nets are willing to renew Irving's contract or not, he will implement the player option for next season. Irving's firm attitude will make the Nets very passive in the transaction, and no team will dare to take the risk of taking over, because they are worried that the end of the transaction at a huge cost may only be a blank check, and Irving is likely to refuse to play, or even retire in situ.
As for Simmons, who hasn't played a game for the team, he has serious game flaws, and after playing a disaster-level performance in last year's playoffs, he has derived mental health problems that have not yet improved. Simmons suffered a bizarre back injury this season without playing a game. G4 could have made a comeback, and Simmons suddenly told the team that he couldn't play with a back injury, which made the whole team very frustrated and disappointed!
According to BR reporter Jack Fisher, one of the team's general managers he interviewed said the Nets now have no choice, Simmons currently has no real deal value, and he has not taken any responsibility for either of his own owners this season. He didn't play for a season due to a back injury. Who would trade him?
Perkins is the most classic in today's show: Simmons is like a single beautiful girl, and when you get close, you find out that she is a single beautiful girl who smokes.
Major game flaws + lack of contract spirit + injury hazards, the Nets trade Simmons is no less difficult than the Lakers sent away Wei Shao.
The Big Three can't move, and the Nets' most tradeable player may be scorer Joe Harris. Joe Harris, who earns $18.64 million next season and has played just 19 games this season, is reimbursed for the season, and his injuries have not yet improved. The Nets want to exchange an injured Harris for an equivalent chip, which is also difficult.
Trades are subject to scrutiny, with 2 of the Big Three being time bombs constantly over the floor, and the Nets want to complete their revenge next season, perhaps another dream.