Ben Simmons Talk Revived

[Lipoli390]

Minnesota: Ben Simmons

Philadelphia: Malcolm Brogdon, Malik Beasley, 2024 first-round pick (via Minnesota), and 2026 first-round pick (via Minnesota)

Indiana: Tyrese Maxey, Taurean Prince, 2022 first-round pick (via Minnesota)

This is what I had in mind for a three-team trade involving the Pacers. I think all teams come out of this relatively happy -- or as happy as Philadelphia could be given the circumstances.

Indiana was apparently willing to offer Brogdon for Simmons. I don't see them giving up Brogdon for Maxey, Prince and a 2022 1st-round pick. Maybe the Wolves can become a third team to facilitate Simmons going to Indiana for Brogdon by sending Beasley and a 2023 1st-round pick to Philly, sending Naz Reid along with 2022 2nd-round pick to Indiana, and getting Myles Turner. Indiana could deal their own 2022 or 2023 1st-round pick to Philly as well. Indiana gets the best player in the deal and the player they were trying to get earlier in exchange for Brogdon. Philly gets a sharp-shooting SG along with Brogdan and a couple of 1st round picks. Minnesota gets the defensive, rim-protected big they need next to KAT in exchange for Beasley and a future protected first. Seems like a fair deal all around.

Minnesota sends Malik Beasley, Naz Reid, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2022 second-round pick to Indiana and Philadelphia for Myles Turner? That would be an awful trade for the Wolves in my view so I truly hope that's not even being discussed.

Well, the Wolves aren't going to get Simmons for those assets. And Myles Turner, if healthy, would be a huge upgrade for the Wolves up front. He's an elite defender and rim-protector who can also hit threes. The first-round pick would be lottery protected in 2023 and the 2nd rounder is one of three 2nd-round picks the Wolves have next year. So the only significant asset the Wolves would be giving up would be Beasley. I don't think that's a terrible deal for the Wolves unless you believe that Turner won't stay healthy, which would be a legitimate concern and a reason why I might not make that deal. But I hardly think that deal would be "awful" for the Wolves.

Lip you gave up a 1st, a 2nd, Beasley and Naz Reid for Turner. 2 of those assets (ok throw in the 2nd rounder or not) fine but all 4? With Turner's injury history that's a bad trade. Might as well throw in a couple more assets and get Simmons. The reality is both guys I pause about giving up the assets required to get them because of their injury history. Turner is certainly more worrisome of the 2 but I do have some pause about Simmons.

I hear you, Monster. I look at the 2nd-round pick as meaningless from our standpoint given that the Wolves have three of them next year. So it's basically Beasley, Naz Reid and our 2023 lottery-protected 1st for Myles Turner. That's a lot less than the assets people are talking about giving up for Simmons. I think that's a reasonable deal for the Wolves if Myles can stay healthy. However, I understand that' a pretty big if. How would you feel about the trade if Naz were taken out of it? Beasley and a 2023 lottery-protected 1st? Seems reasonable to me, although I'm not sure I'd pull the trigger on it myself. My main point was that Minnesota's involvement in a three-team with Philly and Indiana would make more sense as a way for Indiana to get Simmons than for Minnesota to get him.

I wouldn't do the trade (even removing Naz) because I simply question Turner even staying healthy which we have discussed before. What doesn't make sense is why we need this deal to be a 3 team deal. I would think maybe the Wolves could get Turner for more of a discount...kinda like what happened with Portland basically upgrading from Jones Jr to Nance for only a first round pick. You seemed to have added assets over what you have suggested before to get him. I'm sorry but 3 legit chances at a worthwhile player for 1 good player that might not be able to stay healthy sorry Lip I can't do that. 2 chances? I can see the merit in that although I wouldn't do it.

Monster - Actually, we don't need a three-team to get Turner. I was just offering an example of a three-team with PhIlly and Indiana where we would help facilitate Indiana's acquisition of Simmons. That's all. We could help Indiana by adding Beasley to Brogdon. Indiana doesn't have a scoring guard of Beasley's caliber to pair with Brogdon. Just to be clear, this three-way would never happen because the Wolves don't need Indiana to get Myles and I'm question whether the Wolves have much interest in him anyway.

Did you forget that the Pacers have Lavert? Also looking at the Pacers I realized I forgot that TJ Warren basically missed the whole season with a foot injury. That was not a small loss. If they get him back that's going to help along with a HOF coach. If the Pacers can somehow stay healthy they could be a team that surprises people somewhat and maybe they make an in season move to add to their roster. They will miss McDermott but adding Craig was a solid move. They could be a really good defensive team with a number of guys that can score.

Monster - I didn't forget LeVert. I simply remembered that he has a 33.6% career 3-point average while Beasley's 3-point averaged is close to 40%. I think Philly would value a 3-point sharp-shooter like Beasley over a better all-around guard like LeVert as pairing with Brogdon. Moreover, Minnesota entering the picture and offering Beasley would allow Indiana to keep LeVert and pair him with Simmons. But again, I don't see a MN, Philly, Indiana three-way happening. The question I've always had in my mind is whether the Wolves and Pacers would have a mutual interest in swapping Beasley for Turner. I do see the potential for a Brogdon-Simmons swap. The question is how much more Indiana would have to give up to get him and whether a 3rd team might help facilitate that swap.

[Coolbreeze44]

I'm hearing that Golden State wants to avoid having Simmons and Draymond on the same roster. In fact it's been said that will not happen. If Philly doesn't want Dray in a deal, or if GS can't find another place for him a trade is not going to happen.

[Monster]

I'm hearing that Golden State wants to avoid having Simmons and Draymond on the same roster. In fact it's been said that will not happen. If Philly doesn't want Dray in a deal, or if GS can't find another place for him a trade is not going to happen.

Interesting.

The way PFs have been valued around the league even though Draymond is getting paid quite a bit I would imagine there would be some interest around the league for him. I'd take him on the Wolves (although I kinda dislike Draymond in a few ways) but I bet it would require some legit assets to get him and if the price was too high I would pass. Adding Draymond to the group we have could be a heck of a move though. I don't expect anything to happen along those lines though.

Edit: Whoa I just looked up Draymond's stats and he averaged almost 9 assists a game last year?!?!

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Golden State is not trading Draymond Green.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Ben Simmons is a bit like a ball-handling version of Draymond....great passer, great defender, but not much of a scoring or shooting threat. When I watched Draymond in the Olympic games, I never once saw him take a shot. Yet his energy, defense, and ball movement far outweighed his lack of scoring. But you can really only have one of those guys on the floor at the same time, not both, so I get why Golden State wouldn't be interested in Simmons.

[Lipoli390]

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-sports/wolves-now-the-odds-on-favorite-to-land-ben-simmons

Until now, I've considered Sacramento, Toronto and even Indiana as more likely than Minnesota to land Simmons. The the more I read and reflect, the more inclined I am to believe that Minnesota is his most likely landing spot. Here are the factors that have me now leaning that way:

1. Recent reports from credible NBA reporters and analysis who now have Minnesota as the most likely landing spot and who have reported on where other potential suitors appear to be drawing the line on what they're willing to give up.

2. The likelihood that Rosas is more obsessed than any other NBA front office executive with getting Simmons this summer and his track record of ultimately giving a lot or accepting uncertainty to get the guy he zeros in on, e.g., (a) the trade up for Garland without assurance he would be available, (b) the DLO trade even though no one was beating down Golden State's door to get DLO at that point in the season, (c) the Juancho deal that resulted in a contract that appeared significantly higher than anything Juancho would have gotten elsewhere.

3. Gersson's delay in executing a number of otherwise likely and easily executed transactions: (a) delay in signing Bolmaro in spite of the intent and opportunity to do so; (b) delay in signing Vanderbilt even though he hasn't had any outside suitors and would appear to be easily signable for a relative bargain price; (c) delay in re-signing J-Mac even though reports have uniformly indicated the Wolves interest in keeping him; and (d) the decision not to aggressively pursue and sign any other free-agent bigs like Millsap, Hartenstein, Giles, etc. Those delays, coupled with the Beverley deal, which freed up a roster spot, all point to Gersson's effort to maintain as much roster and financial flexibility as possible to accommodate any number of potential deals for Simmons.

I could get excited about a Wolves deal for Simmons. My fear is that Gersson will give up too much to get him. I'd be willing to give up DLO, Layman and two future 2nd-round picks for Simmons. In the alternative, I'd be willing to give up Beasley, Prince or Beverley, two future lightly or unprotected 1sts and two future 2nd-round picks. But that's it. I wouldn't consider giving up KAT, Edwards or McDaniels and I wouldn't give up more than two future 1st-round picks. If Morey wants more, Rosas will probably give him more as would some on this message board and I get that. But I'm very comfortable passing on Simmons if it would take more than one of the packages I suggested.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Lip, it's nice to see you coming around. For me, I'm comfortable giving up three future first-round picks in a deal for Ben Simmons if it means keeping Jaden McDaniels -- as well as Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and D'Angelo Russell. That starting five would be absolutely insane and well worth it, in my opinion. I'm also confident that at least two of those first-round picks would be in the 20's, which is less of a big deal. Those are the kinds of picks contenders trade for a role player at the deadline or on draft night. My ideal trade for Minnesota is two of Taurean Prince, Patrick Beverley, and Malik Beasley and then two or three first-round picks and swaps. I think that's the goal for Gersson Rosas too. Keep all the intriguing young talent and supplement with future picks that you expect to be lower in the round.

[Lipoli390]

I still think Morey might simply wait and keep Simmons if he can't get the value he wants. Eventually, Simmons will show up and play. Otherwise, Morey has two alternatives: (1) accept a heavily discounted return for Simmons from Minnesota, Toronto Sacramento or some other team; or (2) package Simmons with other assets that could persuade a team to finally give him one of the few players he covets. We know Morey has been targeting Beal and Lillard. I suspect he views Fox as a close second to those two and someone he might up the ante to get. Morey might feel compelled to make one of those three teams an offer they can't refuse to rid himself of the Simmons headache and get the player he wants and needs to position the Sixers for a title run. Philly has other nice assets.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

The longer Daryl Morey waits, the more aggravated Ben Simmons will get, and the more aggressive Rich Paul and Klutch Sports will be in getting their client out of Philadelphia. That does not benefit the Sixers whatsoever. If Morey's prepared to keep playing this out, he will find that the consequences of doing so will be more severe in terms of what he will eventually get back in a trade for Simmons. Time is not his friend on this one. I don't expect the season to start with Simmons still attached to Philadelphia.

[Monster]

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-sports/wolves-now-the-odds-on-favorite-to-land-ben-simmons

Until now, I've considered Sacramento, Toronto and even Indiana as more likely than Minnesota to land Simmons. The the more I read and reflect, the more inclined I am to believe that Minnesota is his most likely landing spot. Here are the factors that have me now leaning that way:

1. Recent reports from credible NBA reporters and analysis who now have Minnesota as the most likely landing spot and who have reported on where other potential suitors appear to be drawing the line on what they're willing to give up.

2. The likelihood that Rosas is more obsessed than any other NBA front office executive with getting Simmons this summer and his track record of ultimately giving a lot or accepting uncertainty to get the guy he zeros in on, e.g., (a) the trade up for Garland without assurance he would be available, (b) the DLO trade even though no one was beating down Golden State's door to get DLO at that point in the season, (c) the Juancho deal that resulted in a contract that appeared significantly higher than anything Juancho would have gotten elsewhere.

3. Gersson's delay in executing a number of otherwise likely and easily executed transactions: (a) delay in signing Bolmaro in spite of the intent and opportunity to do so; (b) delay in signing Vanderbilt even though he hasn't had any outside suitors and would appear to be easily signable for a relative bargain price; (c) delay in re-signing J-Mac even though reports have uniformly indicated the Wolves interest in keeping him; and (d) the decision not to aggressively pursue and sign any other free-agent bigs like Millsap, Hartenstein, Giles, etc. Those delays, coupled with the Beverley deal, which freed up a roster spot, all point to Gersson's effort to maintain as much roster and financial flexibility as possible to accommodate any number of potential deals for Simmons.

I could get excited about a Wolves deal for Simmons. My fear is that Gersson will give up too much to get him. I'd be willing to give up DLO, Layman and two future 2nd-round picks for Simmons. In the alternative, I'd be willing to give up Beasley, Prince or Beverley, two future lightly or unprotected 1sts and two future 2nd-round picks. But that's it. I wouldn't consider giving up KAT, Edwards or McDaniels and I wouldn't give up more than two future 1st-round picks. If Morey wants more, Rosas will probably give him more as would some on this message board and I get that. But I'm very comfortable passing on Simmons if it would take more than one of the packages I suggested.

Lip I don't really read much into McLaughlin and Vanderbilt not being signed because they are RFA and so often that plays out for a while for guys like them. You might be onto something there though. I had assumed Bolmaro had been signed since it was reported as basically going to happen...but I didn't find anything that said he was. If they are waiting to sign him that could mean something so that's a good point.

I think Rosas may have some sort of value asset we haven's considered that could make this deal work. Maybe it's Bolmaro. Maybe some team really values Naz and that breaks loose a player or asset that the Sixers value. What if there is a mystery team out there that has told Rosas if you get Simmons we are willing to give some sort of asset to make a sign and trade happen to acquire Vanderbilt which could go to the Sixers. I'm not getting my hopes up too high but Rosas and his group does seem to be able to come up with some interesting ways of finding value I didn't expect. I'm also not suggesting they are super amazing at it but there does seem like a real opportunity to get a very good player even with his flaws like Simmons for a price that like Can says doesn't match what he does on the court.