The only way this makes sense is if they just didn't like the idea of a small backcourt with Scoot and Simons. Of course, they didn't have to take Scoot at #3 if they did this deal. They could have taken Amen Thompson instead and then they would have had plenty of size.
This, followed by an eventual Cam Johnson trade would have basically refilled the cupboards for Brooklyn and put them in a really strong position for the 2025 free agent class.
Brooklyn was not a good team after the KD trade and they got smoked in the playoffs with Bridges struggling after game one. They don't have any cap space this summer so they aren't gonna add anything to last year's team. So they're probably gonna miss the playoffs this upcoming season and they don't even have their own draft pick in the 2024 Draft.
I really don't know why they would have passed on that trade. Coulda been payback for the Gerald Wallace deal a decade ago.