What was once a star studded Brooklyn Nets team is now a mere shell of its former self. With Kevin Durant now going to the Phoenix Suns, and Kyrie Irving going to the Dallas Mavericks, one has to ask the question what caused this All star caliber of a team to dismantle and go into a different direction?

I personally believe it has to do with internal issues revolving a certain player, and that certain player is Ben Simmons. Simmons who came over in a trade with the 76ers in the 2022 NBA season, seemed to be joining a star studded team. While joining forces with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, this team looked prime to make a deep playoff run if not an NBA championship. But after getting swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round rumors started circulating the league on what caused this collapse.

Fast forward a year later, into the 2022-2023 NBA season the Brooklyn Nets granted the wishes of Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving, and traded both of them to their current suitors. Now, with Ben Simmons making comments such as “We got a great group of guys, guys who just want to play basketball.”

Just days after the teams blockbuster trade of former teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. I feel it was Ben Simmons driving both his former teammates away from the team thus forcing a major dismantle on a team that was destined for greatness.

Those are just thoughts and rumors but regardless one has to speculate , “what happened to the Brooklyn Nets”. Let us know what you think on Twitter @WeLikeSportzPC .

Written by: Dylan O’Gara

*Photo courtesy of Fadeaway World*

Source: https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2022/east-first-round-2 https://hoopshype.com/2023/02/11/ben-simmons-we-got-a-great-group-of-guys-guys-who-just-want-to-play-basketball/