The Brooklyn Nets will take on their first 2024-25 NBA preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, Nets fans will not get a full picture of what Brooklyn's regular season lineup could be, as starting center Nicolas Claxton is out of the LA game due to hamstring tightness. Nevertheless, Ben Simmons looks to replace Claxton in an intriguing role.
The day before the Clippers game, Brian Lewis of the New York Post received insight from Jordi Fernandez on how the Nets are approaching their lineup going into preseason:
"We have positional size. If you think about the lineup, it's going to be Dennis, [Cam Thomas], [Cam Johnson], Dorian [Finney-Smith], and Ben [Simmons]. That gives you a lot of things to do defensively. And then offensively, like I said before, two playmakers and floor spacers. So it's going to be fun," Fernandez said, per Lewis.
It appears the Nets will be using Ben Simmons as a center in place of Nic Claxton, at least for the moment. The role could be best for Simmons, given his size, ability to set screens, and his paint-pounding efforts. Will he make an impact beyond traditional big responsibilities though?
It's time for a new version of Simmons to be unlocked
Simmons playing the center position decreases the likelihood that fans will see anything drastically different from his playstyle. Specifically, in a paint-dominant role, he may not be inclined to shoot as many outside shots. This likelihood is increased by the presence of four other floor spacers sharing the court.
Still, Simmons has not been shy about practicing his three-pointers during the offseason. Fans have been itching to see him display his jumper in a game, and preseason is the perfect time for him to show the world a new version of himself.
Jordi Fernandez and the Nets may want Simmons to play more of a supportive big man role, but that does not doom him from being offensively versatile. Instead of always rolling to the basket after setting screens, Simmons could pop out to the three-point line and attempt a deep-range shot.
If Simmons is not able to shoot much, it should not be a problem. His playmaking and transition skills will help Brooklyn's offense thrive.
Simmons has the chance help the Nets' lineup be even more exciting than before in his early role with the team at the start of the 2024-25 campaign.