Simmons Prediction Thread

[thedoper]

I can see Morey holding out for the best offer, and I can see teams coming around with their best offer when it matters. These are all just negotiating ploys, the reality is that the asset is significant, and the more patient Morey can be in spite of all the media garbage that will continue to grow, the better offer he can get. Im actually kind of surprised Golden State hasnt made it happen yet, but if I were a betting man I would say its going to be them.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I can see Morey holding out for the best offer, and I can see teams coming around with their best offer when it matters. These are all just negotiating ploys, the reality is that the asset is significant, and the more patient Morey can be in spite of all the media garbage that will continue to grow, the better offer he can get. Im actually kind of surprised Golden State hasnt made it happen yet, but if I were a betting man I would say its going to be them.

Joe Lacob (Warriors owner) discussing the topic of trading for Ben Simmons:

"In some ways, it doesn't really fit what we're doing. He makes a lot of money. And, can he finish games? I don't know," Lacob said. "He's very talented. The problem is: We have Draymond (Green). Draymond and him are very similar in the sense that neither one really shoots and they do a lot of the play-making. That's one issue. The salary structure is another."

Bob Myers (Warriors GM):

"I like our team," general manager Bob Myers said, per Simmons. "And I envision that the team we have will be the team that heads into camp and will be the team that starts the season."

I'm ruling the Warriors OUT on Simmons. I think they would seriously pursue a Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, or Paul George should they come available, but they aren't going to blow their load on a player type that they already have in Draymond Green.

[TheGrey08]

First take today has quite a bit on Simmons. I'm just now tuning in (thanks to YTTV I can watch from the beginning). Marc Steins retweet of this is what caught my attention. The last thing Rivers was quoted as saying has me wondering if he just talked to Simmons.

Doc Rivers is on First Take on ESPN. Couple of takeaways:
-PHI isn't giving up on Ben Simmons
-Rivers confirmed Simmons has told 76ers leadership that he wants out
-Rivers says "We would love to get Ben back...We want him back."
-His post-G7 remarks on Simmons were misrepresented

-Simmons' biggest issue is free throw shooting. PHI hired a FT and a shooting coach to help
-When asked how much pressure he feels to get things right with Simmons, Rivers said "Umm...let's say I slept well last night. We have a chance to get back at it."
https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1440690579201871877

More of what Rivers said:
https://twitter.com/KyleNeubeck/status/1440700607996710912

Definitely seems like some lip service intended for one person.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

The point about the redundancy of Draymond and Simmons is a good one and it's a comparison we've made here previously in terms of how both these guys are like uber-role-players. You'd have two non-shooting playmakers on the floor at once. It just doesn't work. Now, one option for Golden State is to actually include Draymond in the trade and make themselves younger and more athletic in the process, but that is like ripping the heart and soul out of a team. I can't imagine that would go over well with anyone outside of the front office - players, fans, local beat guys, etc.

[thedoper]

I see the fit issue with Simmons in Golden state a bit. But I dont think you reject talent for fit, if anyone knows that its Golden State. Good coaches and GMs make the talented pieces work. But if any team can afford to have 2 non shooters on floor its Golden State when Klay gets healthy. Draymond is their first asset that needs to be replaced if they want a chance in the small window their stars have left. He's definitely farther down the hill on his career than Steph and even with the injured Klay. He's also the most difficult asset to replace with his D and playmaking. I think if anyone could benefit from playing reduced minutes on that team it would be Draymond at this point. If Golden State added Beal or Lillard it fits a Golden State likes to shoot narrative but theyd be completely kissing their D goodbye.

Plus Golden State has another bad shooting big salary that matches and he went to school with Embid. It would be super funny to me if Golden State ended up with Simmons for a package centered on Wiggins + assets. Wouldnt that prove Cool right?

I still say Golden State is my bet as long as this is a predictions thread.

[Wolvesfan21]

The point about the redundancy of Draymond and Simmons is a good one and it's a comparison we've made here previously in terms of how both these guys are like uber-role-players. You'd have two non-shooting playmakers on the floor at once. It just doesn't work. Now, one option for Golden State is to actually include Draymond in the trade and make themselves younger and more athletic in the process, but that is like ripping the heart and soul out of a team. I can't imagine that would go over well with anyone outside of the front office - players, fans, local beat guys, etc.

No way would the Sixers want Green either at this point in his career. His value is negative.

[Coolbreeze44]

I see the fit issue with Simmons in Golden state a bit. But I dont think you reject talent for fit, if anyone knows that its Golden State. Good coaches and GMs make the talented pieces work. But if any team can afford to have 2 non shooters on floor its Golden State when Klay gets healthy. Draymond is their first asset that needs to be replaced if they want a chance in the small window their stars have left. He's definitely farther down the hill on his career than Steph and even with the injured Klay. He's also the most difficult asset to replace with his D and playmaking. I think if anyone could benefit from playing reduced minutes on that team it would be Draymond at this point. If Golden State added Beal or Lillard it fits a Golden State likes to shoot narrative but theyd be completely kissing their D goodbye.

Plus Golden State has another bad shooting big salary that matches and he went to school with Embid. It would be super funny to me if Golden State ended up with Simmons for a package centered on Wiggins + assets. Wouldnt that prove Cool right?

I still say Golden State is my bet as long as this is a predictions thread.

If Golden State makes a trade for Simmons, Wiggins is the first element to be included. There is truth to the idea that the Warriors don't see Simmons and Green as a fit. So it's hard for me to see the Warriors as a real contender. That is unless they get off to a 10-14 start or something like that.

As far as being right on the Wiggins - DLO trade goes, I think I'm in the lead as Wiggins proved to be a better overall player last year. Never mind the additional draft pick compensation. But I'm open to waiting a few years to see how things ultimately play out.

[FNG]

I'd be looking at ads for nice apartments in phillly right now if I were DLO and Beasley.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

For what it's worth, ESPN released the first half of their annual Top 100 NBA Players List and they ranked Andrew Wiggins as the 77th best player for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season. The last time he made this list he was ranked No. 70 during the 2018-2019 season. His highest ranking was at No. 44 after he won Rookie of the Year in 2014-2015.

ESPN ranked D'Angelo Russell as the 63rd best player for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season. Russell was ranked 69th on last year's list. Notably, both rankings were lowered specifically due to his health concerns. His highest ranking was at No. 28 heading into 2019-20.

I bring this up because of two reasons. Firstly, Wiggins is not a better player than Russell even after his resurgence in Golden State. Secondly, his peak is no where near what Russell's has been and could still be. The rankings are subjective and not definitive by any means, but I include them to show what other basketball minds think about the two players and their places in the league.

[KG4Ever]

For what it's worth, ESPN released the first half of their annual Top 100 NBA Players List and they ranked Andrew Wiggins as the 77th best player for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season. The last time he made this list he was ranked No. 70 during the 2018-2019 season. His highest ranking was at No. 44 after he won Rookie of the Year in 2014-2015.

ESPN ranked D'Angelo Russell as the 63rd best player for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season. Russell was ranked 69th on last year's list. Notably, both rankings were lowered specifically due to his health concerns. His highest ranking was at No. 28 heading into 2019-20.

I bring this up because of two reasons. Firstly, Wiggins is not a better player than Russell even after his resurgence in Golden State. Secondly, his peak is no where near what Russell's has been and could still be. The rankings are subjective and not definitive by any means, but I include them to show what other basketball minds think about the two players and their places in the league.

Haha. This proves nothing at all, other than your obsession to rationalize your extreme love for DLO. Do you really want to start a battle of puff pieces?