Simmons Prediction Thread

[Wolvesfan21]

If Russell's stellar performance in the first game continues through the preseason and Maxey continues to struggle, my hopes for a Simmons/DLO trade will be restored. You gotta believe Morey is closely watching performances in preseason, and his opinion of DLO had to change somewhat Monday night. But if DLO reverts back to the guy he has been in his first 6 years, I see little chance of a Simmons deal for us. I have to admit DLO raised my hopes Monday night.

Agreed, If DLO can play somewhat hard on defense and throw some more of those dazzling assists his stock can only go up. There is no question the guys has talent, it's wether or not he puts it to use. How much he really gives a shit winning actual games.

I still think a DLO/Simmons swap helps both teams. Simmons doesn't want to be in Philly, we need more defense badly. Philly can stand to take a little hit on defense with EMbiid back there.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Trading for Ben Simmons is significantly less enticing if you have to give up D'Angelo Russell to acquire him -- so much so that I'm not sure it'd make sense anymore. If that was indeed the case, I think Minnesota might be better holding off and rolling with the group they've assembled.

Simmons needs to be surrounded by shooters and additional shot creators. Russell is the ideal archetype of guard to pair with Simmons. If you're trading for Simmons, it should be to add him to a potent group that already has the right complimentary pieces around him. The Wolves arguably don't fit Simmons as well without Russell in the mix.

[Lipoli390]

If Russell's stellar performance in the first game continues through the preseason and Maxey continues to struggle, my hopes for a Simmons/DLO trade will be restored. You gotta believe Morey is closely watching performances in preseason, and his opinion of DLO had to change somewhat Monday night. But if DLO reverts back to the guy he has been in his first 6 years, I see little chance of a Simmons deal for us. I have to admit DLO raised my hopes Monday night.

I agree with you, FNG. And I continue to believe the best move for the Wolves would be a DLO/Simmons swap that did not include significant additional draft compensation. I'm thinking DLO, Layman, the Wolves 2023 first (top 4 protected) and two of the Wolves three 2022 2nd-round picks. But I don't see it happening. I'm very content with the roster we have now. We just need to add a rebounding big.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Trading for Ben Simmons is significantly less enticing if you have to give up D'Angelo Russell to acquire him -- so much so that I'm not sure it'd make sense anymore. If that was indeed the case, I think Minnesota might be better holding off and rolling with the group they've assembled.

Simmons needs to be surrounded by shooters and additional shot creators. Russell is the ideal archetype of guard to pair with Simmons. If you're trading for Simmons, it should be to add him to a potent group that already has the right complimentary pieces around him. The Wolves arguably don't fit Simmons as well without Russell in the mix.

There is also too much of a good thing....Simmons, KAT, DLO, Ant....that's a lot of guys that need touches and three of them are ball handlers too.

Start Beasley and Ant as your guards; Jaden at SF; Simmons at point-PF; and KAT. That's a very well balanced lineup where Edwards and KAT still get plenty of chances to score and make plays for others. Beasley and Jaden are your spot up guys in that offense.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Trading for Ben Simmons is significantly less enticing if you have to give up D'Angelo Russell to acquire him -- so much so that I'm not sure it'd make sense anymore. If that was indeed the case, I think Minnesota might be better holding off and rolling with the group they've assembled.

Simmons needs to be surrounded by shooters and additional shot creators. Russell is the ideal archetype of guard to pair with Simmons. If you're trading for Simmons, it should be to add him to a potent group that already has the right complimentary pieces around him. The Wolves arguably don't fit Simmons as well without Russell in the mix.

There is also too much of a good thing....Simmons, KAT, DLO, Ant....that's a lot of guys that need touches and three of them are ball handlers too.

Start Beasley and Ant as your guards; Jaden at SF; Simmons at point-PF; and KAT. That's a very well balanced lineup where Edwards and KAT still get plenty of chances to score and make plays for others. Beasley and Jaden are your spot up guys in that offense.

Somehow the Hall of Fame foursome of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green figured it out. It would seem weird to me that a less proven group would be that egocentric that they couldn't find ways to play together, especially when their games theoretically mesh together incredibly well. I just don't buy that argument, to be honest, but I respect where you're coming from. I think the uber talented players figure it out. Not to mention the head coach has a role in staggering lineups to allow everyone time to be the primary ball-handler or scoring option.

I look at that group you projected post-trade and I see a lack of scoring punch and a limited group of shooters. Not to mention, the problems Ben Simmons faced in Philadelphia would be the same ones he'd still face in Minnesota without Russell's ability to be a primary ball-handler.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Trading for Ben Simmons is significantly less enticing if you have to give up D'Angelo Russell to acquire him -- so much so that I'm not sure it'd make sense anymore. If that was indeed the case, I think Minnesota might be better holding off and rolling with the group they've assembled.

Simmons needs to be surrounded by shooters and additional shot creators. Russell is the ideal archetype of guard to pair with Simmons. If you're trading for Simmons, it should be to add him to a potent group that already has the right complimentary pieces around him. The Wolves arguably don't fit Simmons as well without Russell in the mix.

There is also too much of a good thing....Simmons, KAT, DLO, Ant....that's a lot of guys that need touches and three of them are ball handlers too.

Start Beasley and Ant as your guards; Jaden at SF; Simmons at point-PF; and KAT. That's a very well balanced lineup where Edwards and KAT still get plenty of chances to score and make plays for others. Beasley and Jaden are your spot up guys in that offense.

Somehow the Hall of Fame foursome of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green figured it out. It would seem weird to me that a less proven group would be that egocentric that they couldn't find ways to play together, especially when their games theoretically mesh together incredibly well. I just don't buy that argument, to be honest, but I respect where you're coming from. I think the uber talented players figure it out. Not to mention the head coach has a role in staggering lineups to allow everyone time to be the primary ball-handler or scoring option.

I look at that group you projected post-trade and I see a lack of scoring punch and a limited group of shooters. Not to mention, the problems Ben Simmons faced in Philadelphia would be the same ones he'd still face in Minnesota without Russell's ability to be a primary ball-handler.

The Warriors were indeed different. That's part of the reason they won multiple championships. Curry was willing to sacrifice. And Green didn't really need to take a lot of shots to be effective.

They were also battling for championships and NBA legacies at the time... Minnesota is battling to be a .500 team. That's a pretty large difference in and of itself.

[Wolvesfan21]

If you have Simmons, DLO's talents are not really being utilized. Relegating DLO to spot up shooter and poor defender just doesn't make a lot of sense.

I see Simmons pairing well with Bease, but even Beverley even more. A nice 3P shooting percentage PG that defends at a high level.

I see the others points about DLO needed the ball, it's what he is good at. With Simmons, it's the same thing, it's what he is good at. The problem is DLO on defense is a big downgrade. Then we have Ant who is also becoming great at driving and dishing (hopefully dishing).

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

The Warriors were just one recent example. How about the Grizzlies of old with Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol? What about the Celtics with Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett? How about this year's Nets with Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Joe Harris? How on earth were these teams successful with four players who need the ball? It's pretty groundbreaking stuff here...

The point is that talent wins, especially top tier talent. If that talent fits with each other, then that's even better. Give me a foursome of D'Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Ben Simmons, and Karl-Anthony Towns and I'll bet my personal net worth on them winning 50-games or more. That's without even considering what the supporting pieces would be.

[FNG]

Trading for Ben Simmons is significantly less enticing if you have to give up D'Angelo Russell to acquire him -- so much so that I'm not sure it'd make sense anymore. If that was indeed the case, I think Minnesota might be better holding off and rolling with the group they've assembled.

Simmons needs to be surrounded by shooters and additional shot creators. Russell is the ideal archetype of guard to pair with Simmons. If you're trading for Simmons, it should be to add him to a potent group that already has the right complimentary pieces around him. The Wolves arguably don't fit Simmons as well without Russell in the mix.

There is also too much of a good thing....Simmons, KAT, DLO, Ant....that's a lot of guys that need touches and three of them are ball handlers too.

Start Beasley and Ant as your guards; Jaden at SF; Simmons at point-PF; and KAT. That's a very well balanced lineup where Edwards and KAT still get plenty of chances to score and make plays for others. Beasley and Jaden are your spot up guys in that offense.

I get Cam's point- adding Simmons to the tandem of KAT and DLO (both seemingly coming into the season trying to prove something) is certainly enticing...especially with Ant as the 4th wheel. But I have two problems with it, and that's why I still like a deal built around Simmons and Russell.

First, the fools gold theory. What are we going to believe- positive comments about DLO this fall from Finch and PatBev plus a very good initial game, or what we have seen for 6 years? I'm not being facetious, because I really want to believe there is a "new D'Angelo". But years of watching NBA games tells me it's rare for a 7th year player to take an enormous leap.

Second is the salary cap issue. 3 max contracts makes building a roster very difficult. It can be done...Denver just became the 4th team with 4 maxes with their Porter deal...but it's a lot easier to attract the good cheap rotation players you need to win a championship in destination places like California and NYC than in the midwest. Just ask OkC why they had to unload Harden.

My wish continues to be that DLO keeps playing like he did Monday, and makes Morey crave him enough to pull the trigger. But I still give it less than a 20% chance.

[thedoper]

The "not enough balls to go around" issue only seems to come up when a team is good and they are trying to make it work. I would love to have the problem of too much talent if I were a coach, gm, or player. If we can get Simmons without giving up Dlo then why the hell not. I think ultimately our talent outside of Kat and Ant (regardless of draft picks) just isn't good enough to land Simmons. Ultimately, I think he will go for more than what the Wolves would be willing to give up even if we included Dlo.