Ben Simmons

[FNG]

There's something wrong with Ben Simmons. His head isn't in the right place... offensively.

I'd take a chance at him being a reclamation project... change of scenery... role... type of thing. He'd never actually be worth that $40M deal down the line... but I think he has the potential to be a bigger game-changer than Russell or Beasley.

In any event, it isn't happening.


[Note: Pretty crazy to see how far/fast this guy is falling. Will be interesting to see how he responds.]

Yeah, almost certainly not happening. But I'm in agreement with your points...it's odd to see how far this guy has fallen and (to quote Yogi) 90% of it seems to be half mental, but I'd still be thrilled with a PG swap. I just watched his post-game interview, and I mostly admired how he stood up and took responsibility. He even gave an answer on his bizarre non-dunk, even though it still doesn't make much sense. He said he thought Collins was there to stuff him, and he assumed he was dishing to Gallo for an easy dunk. He needs to have better awareness than that obviously, but I still tend to appreciate his pass-first mentality. Just wasn't the right choice in this case.

It's still a little odd to me that a guy who had 13 assists, 8 rebounds and only 2 TOs while playing extraordinary defense and making 2 of his 4 shots, is getting 90% of the blame for this loss. Personally I'm giving Embiid at least 75% of the blame for his 8 TOs and occasionally indifferent defense.

[AbeVigodaLive]

There's something wrong with Ben Simmons. His head isn't in the right place... offensively.

I'd take a chance at him being a reclamation project... change of scenery... role... type of thing. He'd never actually be worth that $40M deal down the line... but I think he has the potential to be a bigger game-changer than Russell or Beasley.

In any event, it isn't happening.


[Note: Pretty crazy to see how far/fast this guy is falling. Will be interesting to see how he responds.]

Yeah, almost certainly not happening. But I'm in agreement with your points...it's odd to see how far this guy has fallen and (to quote Yogi) 90% of it seems to be half mental, but I'd still be thrilled with a PG swap. I just watched his post-game interview, and I mostly admired how he stood up and took responsibility. He even gave an answer on his bizarre non-dunk, even though it still doesn't make much sense. He said he thought Collins was there to stuff him, and he assumed he was dishing to Gallo for an easy dunk. He needs to have better awareness than that obviously, but I still tend to appreciate his pass-first mentality. Just wasn't the right choice in this case.

It's still a little odd to me that a guy who had 13 assists, 8 rebounds and only 2 TOs while playing extraordinary defense and making 2 of his 4 shots, is getting 90% of the blame for this loss. Personally I'm giving Embiid at least 75% of the blame for his 8 TOs and occasionally indifferent defense.

Tough call on Embiid. I've heard guys like Kevin O'Connor (The Ringer) give Simmons 100% of the blame even before Game 7.

They're saying between Simmons and the knee injury, Embiid doesn't deserve any blame. At the same time... he missed two critical free throws late in the Game 5 collapse and did have 16 TOs and only 4 assists over the past two games.

[Wolvesfan21]

DLO and a 1st. :d

[FNG]

DLO and a 1st. :d

WF, all the Simmons/DLO rumors I found on the internet (other than chatter like this on message boards) was during the time he was a Warrior, and everyone knew they wanted to move him. The rumored deals were DLO + pieces (and not insignificant pieces) for Simmons. But things have changed a lot since then...Simmons is the whipping boy in Philly, and DLO is getting some praise for his play down the stretch. I'm thinking any deal would be more likely straight up right now.

[Wolvesfan21]

It's crazy just a couple years ago we couldn't stop Simmons from driving and dunking on us, he's got some Giannis in his game with his length and handle, then of course the elite defense! Giannis however takes 3's and even mid two's however and is decent from the FT. Gianni still isn't even remotely a good shooter either, but at least he tries.

I would honestly gamble on him that especially in a smaller market like ours, MN NICE BABY, he could flourish.

[Wolvesfan21]

DLO and a 1st. :d

WF, all the Simmons/DLO rumors I found on the internet (other than chatter like this on message boards) was during the time he was a Warrior, and everyone knew they wanted to move him. The rumored deals were DLO + pieces (and not insignificant pieces) for Simmons. But things have changed a lot since then...Simmons is the whipping boy in Philly, and DLO is getting some praise for his play down the stretch. I'm thinking any deal would be more likely straight up right now.

You're right and his contract is enormous which I just thought about as well. DLO + Culver. Done deal!!!

[FNG]

DLO and a 1st. :d

WF, all the Simmons/DLO rumors I found on the internet (other than chatter like this on message boards) was during the time he was a Warrior, and everyone knew they wanted to move him. The rumored deals were DLO + pieces (and not insignificant pieces) for Simmons. But things have changed a lot since then...Simmons is the whipping boy in Philly, and DLO is getting some praise for his play down the stretch. I'm thinking any deal would be more likely straight up right now.

You're right and his contract is enormous which I just thought about as well. DLO + Culver. Done deal!!!

Almost makes too much sense, doesn't it? Culver is the perfect complement to complete the deal.

[Lipoli390]

DLO and a 1st. :d

WF, all the Simmons/DLO rumors I found on the internet (other than chatter like this on message boards) was during the time he was a Warrior, and everyone knew they wanted to move him. The rumored deals were DLO + pieces (and not insignificant pieces) for Simmons. But things have changed a lot since then...Simmons is the whipping boy in Philly, and DLO is getting some praise for his play down the stretch. I'm thinking any deal would be more likely straight up right now.

You're right and his contract is enormous which I just thought about as well. DLO + Culver. Done deal!!!

WolvesFan - Let us know when you've completed the deal. :).

Seriously, I've always thought DLO was a better fit than Simmons for the Sixers and vice versa for the Wolves. My main issues with DLO have always been what we gave up for him and his fit; not his talent. We have a great offensive but poor defensive center as one of our two stars. DLO's poor defense makes him a bad fit for the Wolves, especially if he's going to be our second star. Embiid is as great defensive center who can offset DLO's offensive liabilities. Meanwhile, KAT and Edwards can compensate for Simmons' offensive limitations. So I still see merit to a straight-up swap. Including Culver would provide the Wolves with some near-term salary relief and might be enough to get the Sixers to do the deal, depending on Simmons' trade value around the League.

Having said all that, I'm still not sure I'd do the deal based on the following reservations:

1. It is highly problematic to have a PG who is a really bad perimeter and free-throw shooter regardless of how good he is as a defender, rebounder and playmaker. He really can't play off the ball except as a cutter and that really limits the opportunities for Edwards and KAT to create offense by passing out of the paint. Moreover, his poor free-throw shooting makes him a major liability late in tight games as an easy and game-altering target for fouls.

2. His contract extends two years beyond DLO's, which would limit the Wolves financial flexibility down the road.

3. Simmons apparent mental implosion in this year's playoffs makes me wonder about whether he has the sort of mental toughness you need in your core players to be a contender. For all his faults, I think DLO is mentally tough.

[thedoper]

The move to respectability with this team is to continuously improve our talent. I would love to be a team bemoaning Simmons inability to get us past the 2nd round of the playoffs. The bottom line to me is that Simmons is a more talented and impactful basketball player than DLo. If Rosas can improve our talent he should do it. We can worry about the nuances of getting us to a championship once we have a winning record. And yes, this is an exercise in futility.

[Wolvesfan21]

DLO and a 1st. :d

WF, all the Simmons/DLO rumors I found on the internet (other than chatter like this on message boards) was during the time he was a Warrior, and everyone knew they wanted to move him. The rumored deals were DLO + pieces (and not insignificant pieces) for Simmons. But things have changed a lot since then...Simmons is the whipping boy in Philly, and DLO is getting some praise for his play down the stretch. I'm thinking any deal would be more likely straight up right now.

You're right and his contract is enormous which I just thought about as well. DLO + Culver. Done deal!!!

WolvesFan - Let us know when you've completed the deal. :).

Seriously, I've always thought DLO was a better fit than Simmons for the Sixers and vice versa for the Wolves. My main issues with DLO have always been what we gave up for him and his fit; not his talent. We have a great offensive but poor defensive center as one of our two stars. DLO's poor defense makes him a bad fit for the Wolves, especially if he's going to be our second star. Embiid is as great defensive center who can offset DLO's offensive liabilities. Meanwhile, KAT and Edwards can compensate for Simmons' offensive limitations. So I still see merit to a straight-up swap. Including Culver would provide the Wolves with some near-term salary relief and might be enough to get the Sixers to do the deal, depending on Simmons' trade value around the League.

Having said all that, I'm still not sure I'd do the deal based on the following reservations:

1. It is highly problematic to have a PG who is a really bad perimeter and free-throw shooter regardless of how good he is as a defender, rebounder and playmaker. He really can't play off the ball except as a cutter and that really limits the opportunities for Edwards and KAT to create offense by passing out of the paint. Moreover, his poor free-throw shooting makes him a major liability late in tight games as an easy and game-altering target for fouls.

2. His contract extends two years beyond DLO's, which would limit the Wolves financial flexibility down the road.

3. Simmons apparent mental implosion in this year's playoffs makes me wonder about whether he has the sort of mental toughness you need in your core players to be a contender. For all his faults, I think DLO is mentally tough.

Both players are overpaid and both have issues no question. Personally I don't mind just rolling with what we have as well. But I also think that Simmons could turn it around and be really special. Simmons is a buyers market now, his value can't really get much lower unless he was injured as well.

This trade could really work for both teams. Philly needs more space for Embiid down low, and Simmons does end up clogging the paint "as is" (maybe he starts shooting more in the future, yet to be determined). The Wolves could really use another defensive upgrade and man that would be a good one. McDaniels and Simmons would be a dynamic punch to put on the other teams wings/best two ball handlers.

We are one team who has THE elite outside shooting big where Simmons can even if he doesn't end up being a shooter at all going forward, able to absorb his non shooting. KAT is the ultimate floor spacer. KAT's offensive game could be even better playing with Simmons. Simmons game could only get better from this point.

While both players have flaws, I think their strengths help both teams.