If you use a word to describe the current Nets, perhaps "a place of chicken feathers" is the most appropriate. The Nets in the offseason not only face the problem of star contract renewal, but also the hidden danger of the loss of basic salary veterans. In addition, Simmons' mental state and competitive state also require the Nets to pour patience. Now that the playoffs are in full swing, the Nets, who are out early, don't feel at ease, and perhaps Max will feel that this offseason is too short. They are likely to make their third big deal in two years this summer.
According to prominent journalist Stein, executives on multiple teams agree that the Minnesota Timberwolves will trade D'Angelo Russell this offseason, and that the relationship between Russell and Towns will not be a factor for Timberwolves executives. If Russell enters the trade market, the Nets will show great interest in reintroducing the former star, and the Nets will be one of the suitors, and if the Timberwolves' trade chips can impress the Nets, then they will dump Simmons through the deal. Even with Russell's disappointing playoff performance, the Nets still consider him a better playmaker than Simmons.
The Timberwolves have just finished their playoff journey, they played a commendable regular season, but also contributed a disappointing playoff performance, and overall, they have made it a great success to enter the playoffs, and the next goal is to rebuild the team and compete for the championship. The Timberwolves' playoff performance was disappointing, russell was the main reason, as one of the core players of the Timberwolves, Russell averaged 12 points, 2.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game, shooting 33.3%, and was even abandoned by the head coach in the critical stage of the life-and-death battle, comparable to James Harden in 2015. Such a series performance has caused Russell's trading value to drop again and again, and it seems that the Timberwolves are ready to buy and sell at a loss. Even so, Russell's deal is still worth more than Simmons's, and if the Nets insist on pursuing Russell, they may have to pay more chips.
Russell is up to the role of organizer, his style is similar to James Harden's, he is also keen on three-point shooting, the breakthrough threat is relatively small, and he is also a left-handed player. Compared to Simmons, Russell's suitability is actually not high, he and Irving are both strong and weak players, but at least, Russell can play with his duty, and Simmons is a time bomb. In fact, the nets who attracted the Nets most to Russell's deal was not Russell itself, but Russell's one-year contract. Although Russell's annual salary is as high as $31.37 million, he only has one last year left on his contract, and Simmons has 3 years left, if the Nets want to rebuild the salary structure, then Russell is indeed an excellent choice. Russell's playoff performance has a certain deceptiveness, the normal play of Russell, the threat of personal offense is not smaller than Harden at this stage, the regular season Russell is still a stable 20+7 player, as a three-boss is actually enough.
The Nets are still unable to determine Simmons' situation, and if he remains obsessed with his one-year salary next season, then Simmons has lost the value of the deal by then, and no team is willing to be the wrongdoer. So, Russell is indeed one of those objects worthy of the Nets' consideration. Simmons, who is willing to do his job, may be the best player for the Timberwolves, which is the Nets' advantage. Towns is one of the best shooting centers in NBA history, and Simmons is the only point guard in NBA history who doesn't have a shooting threat, and that combination makes sense. However, the Nets' reintroduction of Russell also means that they admit that they have seen the wrong person, and russell was the one who voluntarily gave up.
Now it seems that Durant's legacy to the Warriors is still making them continue to benefit. When Durant chose to sign first and then change to the Nets, Russell came to the Warriors as a chip. The Warriors traded again that season, swapping Russell for a Wigginsga draft pick, which the Warriors later used to select Cumminga. Now it seems that the Warriors are the most profitable of the three teams.