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The Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets discussed a trade involving Ben Simmons and Miles Bridges prior to the Feb. 8 deadline, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
“Charlotte, sources said, held conversations with Brooklyn about swapping Bridges in a package that would have brought Ben Simmons to the Hornets in February,” Fischer wrote on Friday, adding that the Sacramento Kings also inquired about a trade involving the Hornets forward.
Instead, Bridges ultimately remained with Charlotte. His agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst at the deadline that the 26-year-old would use the veto power as part of his contract to prevent any trades.
Bridges signed a one-year deal worth $8 million with the Hornets in July 2023 (per Spotrac). He’s currently set to hit unrestricted free agency, although Charlotte owns his Bird rights which could make it easier for the team to re-sign him.
As for Simmons, he still has one season remaining on a five-year contract worth $177.2 million that he previously signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. He’ll earn $40.3 million for his 2024-25 campaign before he enters unrestricted free agency in 2025.
The former No. 1 overall pick appeared in just 15 contests during the 2023-24 season, averaging a mere 6.1 points and 5.7 assists per game before a nerve impingement in his lower back ended his season.
With Simmons playing on an expiring contract next season, the Nets may have better luck in trade conversations involving him.