Ben Simmons

[Carlos Danger]

Just saw this: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10064402-espn-nets-ben-simmons-has-zero-trade-value-in-nba-after-kyrie-irving-mavs-deal


It would be fun to look up the old thread on this guy to see how much some were willing to give up to go get him. I'm not writing that to be mean, but only to put a perspective on how far his value has crashed. I actually would love to buy low on him if they are really looking to dump him. I realize he's a high salary guy - so don't know how realistic that is. Just interesting to me to see how much players perceived value can fluctuate in a matter of a a year or two. And to steal a line from Seinfeld, the Wolves got fluctuated out of a lot of draft picks in the Gobert deal.

[60WinTim]

That thought crossed my mind as well...

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I would bet that he's a change of scenery and one off-season away from returning to All-Star caliber. Not playing last season didn't do him any good, and playing in Brooklyn this season couldn't have been optimal for him either. The defense and court vision is still elite. He's still a freakish athlete at his size. Gut feeling is that there's still a really good player there.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I dig basketball history stuff.

But I'm struggling to come with a comp for a guy so destroyed mentally on the court who was able to bounce back to previous levels. Is there anybody?

[Carlos Danger]

I would bet that he's a change of scenery and one off-season away from returning to All-Star caliber. Not playing last season didn't do him any good, and playing in Brooklyn this season couldn't have been optimal for him either. The defense and court vision is still elite. He's still a freakish athlete at his size. Gut feeling is that there's still a really good player there.

So the real question is...would you be willing to part with DLO to get him? I'm assuming that would be the only realistic path considering salaries. I'm not sure if they want DLO or not, but putting that aside - would Simmons make this team better than DLO in your eyes? Personally, I think it would - at least long term. Short term might be more difficult since the Wolves are playing well and there are only 26 games left.

[FNG]

I thought you might be going in that direction, Anthony, and it's an interesting question. Windhorst says the Nets will likely have to attach two firsts to any deal to unload Simmons' contract, so I would be in favor of Russell for Simmons and two picks. Simmons is having a weird year. His free throw shooting is abysmal (45.6%!) and he's choosing not to shoot more than ever (only 7.8 FGA per game, although some might argue that's just what the Wolves need). But his per 36 numbers in other areas are comparable or better than his career averages...more assists, fewer turnovers and the same rebounds. Pretty darn good. And while some of his defensive metrics are down, they are still at an elite level. With all that data, I guess it's not surprising that Brooklyn is better when he's on the court than off (while the Wolves are worse both on offense and defense when DLo is on the court as opposed to off).

I would even have to consider a straight up deal with no picks attached. But the Wolves would have to be comfortable with both Simmons' health and his attitude before considering any deals involving him.

[Q-is-here]

It works better if KAT is your full-time Center, but if you have Gobert and Simmons on the floor, the spacing is going to completely suck on offense. Ant is having a hard enough time adjusting to Gobert, who lives at the rim. Imagine how little room there would be for Ant if Gobert and Simmons were on the floor together.

No thanks....

[Carlos Danger]

I thought you might be going in that direction, Anthony, and it's an interesting question. Windhorst says the Nets will likely have to attach two firsts to any deal to unload Simmons' contract, so I would be in favor of Russell for Simmons and two picks. Simmons is having a weird year. His free throw shooting is abysmal (45.6%!) and he's choosing not to shoot more than ever (only 7.8 FGA per game, although some might argue that's just what the Wolves need). But his per 36 numbers in other areas are comparable or better than his career averages...more assists, fewer turnovers and the same rebounds. Pretty darn good. And while some of his defensive metrics are down, they are still at an elite level. With all that data, I guess it's not surprising that Brooklyn is better when he's on the court than off (while the Wolves are worse both on offense and defense when DLo is on the court as opposed to off).

I would even have to consider a straight up deal with no picks attached. But the Wolves would have to be comfortable with both Simmons' health and his attitude before considering any deals involving him.

I'm assuming this is the story you referencing. I just saw it myself. I'd jump on that deal in a NY minute myself. TC could redeem himself after getting raped on the Gobert deal:

https://dunkingwithwolves.com/2023/02/07/would-the-timberwolves-consider-getting-2-1sts-and-simmons/

[AbeVigodaLive]

A guy unwilling to shoot. And scared to shoot free throws doesn't do much for me. Simmons is averaging 1/2 of what he used to average... which was considered insufficient at times.

Further, he's not playing what we'd consider to be a PG role. So where would he fit in on a team with Gobert, Towns and Kyle Anderson already getting minutes?

Heck, Kyle Anderson is sort of in a Ben Simmons facsimile role since Towns went out. Only he can at least keep defenses honest with his shooting.

Q mentioned Gobert. But imagine a murderer's row of shooters lineup with Simmons, McLaughlin, Anderson and Gobert out on the court. Ewwww.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I would bet that he's a change of scenery and one off-season away from returning to All-Star caliber. Not playing last season didn't do him any good, and playing in Brooklyn this season couldn't have been optimal for him either. The defense and court vision is still elite. He's still a freakish athlete at his size. Gut feeling is that there's still a really good player there.

So the real question is...would you be willing to part with DLO to get him? I'm assuming that would be the only realistic path considering salaries. I'm not sure if they want DLO or not, but putting that aside - would Simmons make this team better than DLO in your eyes? Personally, I think it would - at least long term. Short term might be more difficult since the Wolves are playing well and there are only 26 games left.

Nope. I was only ever interested in acquiring Ben Simmons to have him play next to Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and D'Angelo Russell. I thought those four had a good blend of skills and could play off one another.

Given where those two players are at now in their careers I would probably be even more against making that one-for-one trade. If Minnesota were to regain interest in him again I would expect Rudy Gobert to be outgoing, but that wouldn't be any time soon.