There is rampant speculation about where Ben Simmons will play next season after he struggled in the playoffs. As a max player, his struggles at the free-throw line and lack of aggressiveness shooting the ball have limited the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs. But with a change of scenery, he could elevate the Minnesota Timberwolves — a team where he’s an ideal fit.
He can guard 1-5 with ease, but his defensive prowess doesn’t outweigh his reluctance to shoot when it matters most. His fit with Joel Embiid and the Sixers’ lack of spacing has always been in question, ever since they emerged from “The Process” as Philadelphia’s cornerstone players.
A trade could be imminent. Embiid is a physical center who weighs 280 lbs. and is frequently injured, forcing him to miss at least a dozen games every season. He needs a better supporting cast around him, and the Sixers are in win-now mode.
Wolves Inquiry
Gersson Rosas and Co. should have considerable interest in adding the three-time All-Star. Rosas has connections to Sixers general manager Daryl Morey, who was the Houston Rockets’ GM for nearly Rosas’ entire time there. This relationship should help Rosas gauge what exactly Philadelphia wants in return for Simmons.
Morey turned the Rockets into a juggernaut by trading for James Harden and Chris Paul, and he will not sell low on Simmons. Even after a lackluster playoff performance, plenty of teams will be interested in Simmons. He will not be had for a bargain.
Simmons On and Off the Court
Simmons is a playmaker in addition to being a lockdown defender, and both are areas of need for the Wolves. Simmons can both track the opponent’s primary ballhandler and switch onto any offensive player — two strengths that got overlooked because of his lack of shooting in the playoffs.
If his lack of aggressiveness is mostly mental rather than a reaction to poor mechanics or floor spacing, a change of scenery could improve his offense. In Minnesota, he’d have a new coaching staff and front office that believes in him. He would not have the expectation of fixing his shot mid-season on a contending team that he had in Philadelphia.
His ability to play quality defense at the 4 alone would immediately put him in Minnesota’s good graces. He could figure out the rest later.
The key to unlocking Simmons is likely rooted in his mental health. A new team may rejuvenate his offensive aggressiveness and give him the liberty to have the ball in his hands during clutch moments. Improving his free-throw percentage alone would allow him to drive offense and rediscover his confidence.
Trade Value and Fit
So where does Simmons’ (presumably tanking) value sit this offseason? He has four years remaining on his deal at $33-plus million, which escalates until he hits free agency during the 2025 season.
Moving a contract like this is difficult and is typically done in the offseason. The 76ers will likely look for a young core piece, floor spacers, and draft compensation in a trade. They are still contenders and would want to reload for the future if they move a player of Simmons’ caliber.
So why would the Wolves, who are trying to get out of a perpetual rebuilding phase, trade all this for Simmons? Well, the fit is seamless. Simmons would dovetail with Minnesota’s core players: Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell (if he’s not moved in the trade), and Anthony Edwards. The Wolves would become a playoff team overnight.
Even after losing their first-rounder this year, Minnesota shouldn’t have trepidation about moving draft capital in a deal like this. Rosas has turned late first- and second-round picks and UDFAs into serviceable role players with aplomb. Plus, the pick wouldn’t be as significant if the Wolves were a consistent playoff team. With a core of Simmons, KAT, Ant, and (maybe) DLo, they’d be competitive for years to come.
Simmons has a personal connection to KAT and DLo. He frequently plays video games live on Twitch with Towns, and he and Russell played together at Monteverde Academy in Florida. These relationships could help out; uniting friends as the core of the franchise could bode well for keeping them together for an extended amount of time.
For some fans, landing Ben Simmons seems like a pipe dream. To others, it’s a nightmare given his recent playoff performance. But the talent and firepower he could add to this team are worth the risk. Gersson Rosas needs to go out of his way to make a competitive offer to elevate the Wolves out of the Western Conference cellar.
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June 28, 2021 at 10:38PM
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Ben Simmons Would Be a Perfect Fit On the Wolves - Zone Coverage
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