Trade Talk (Part Six)

[Klomp]

A key question is, can Ben Simmons be effective if he is not the starting 1? We have Dlo to start, Simmons could play 2,3, maybe 4. If he is our SF, the shooting is an issue but man, we got that covered everywhere else in the starting 5. I do wonder how spacing would work if KAT is inside and Simmons is trying to get in there too but I think it could work. Simmons is still a great scorer, no way teams can just let him roam. His playmaking would be killer too.

Then we got guys like Bolmero and McDaniels putting in good minutes off the bench. It's something to consider. As for the contracts, I think we can always move any of the three. They are talented enough that teams will take them. We may not get a huge return but we can something for all of them. KAT having the most value.

I don't see why a Russell/Edwards/McDaniels/Simmons/Towns lineup wouldn't work. Place the players in whatever positions you want.

[SO_MONEY]

Which of his numbers do you see dropping?

That is all you have? If Vanderbilt had any type of size or scoring ability inside, and been able to stay out of foul trouble he would have averaged close to a double double, Simmons is better than Vando. The team surrounding him would have as much or more ability to score as Phili, plus in Finch offense...His assist numbers would go up as well. So again, where do you see him backsliding exactly?

Lol. I don't need to have anything, you said he would get a triple double here, he doesn't average a triple double so he doesn't need to backslide or have a reduction in numbers, then to top it off you compare him to vando like that was something I did. Comedy gold. Thanks.

[Norseman79]

That is all you have? If Vanderbilt had any type of size or scoring ability inside, and been able to stay out of foul trouble he would have averaged close to a double double, Simmons is better than Vando. The team surrounding him would have as much or more ability to score as Phili, plus in Finch offense...His assist numbers would go up as well. So again, where do you see him backsliding exactly?

Lol. I don't need to have anything, you said he would get a triple double here, he doesn't average a triple double so he doesn't need to backslide or have a reduction in numbers, then to top it off you compare him to vando like that was something I did. Comedy gold. Thanks.

You are right, you did not say he would backslide. I compared him to Vando as a way to show how realistic Simmons numbers being higher here would/could be. I did not mean to insinuate you were comparing him to Vando. Is it unrealistic to expect him to grab 3 more boards and 3 more assists per game if he were the starting PF for MN? I don't think so, and, I actually think his scoring would climb as well.

[IceManBK1]

What if Philly realize how flawed Simmons is or Simmons demands a trade and lower his value and the asking price is only McDaniels, Beasley and couple of heavily protected 1sts? Do we still pull the trigger? We can always sign another spot up shooter to replace Beasley.

[SO_MONEY]

That is all you have? If Vanderbilt had any type of size or scoring ability inside, and been able to stay out of foul trouble he would have averaged close to a double double, Simmons is better than Vando. The team surrounding him would have as much or more ability to score as Phili, plus in Finch offense...His assist numbers would go up as well. So again, where do you see him backsliding exactly?

Lol. I don't need to have anything, you said he would get a triple double here, he doesn't average a triple double so he doesn't need to backslide or have a reduction in numbers, then to top it off you compare him to vando like that was something I did. Comedy gold. Thanks.

You are right, you did not say he would backslide. I compared him to Vando as a way to show how realistic Simmons numbers being higher here would/could be. I did not mean to insinuate you were comparing him to Vando. Is it unrealistic to expect him to grab 3 more boards and 3 more assists per game if he were the starting PF for MN? I don't think so, and, I actually think his scoring would climb as well.

I believe he is unlikely to get 3 more boards or assists, I also suspect his scoring numbers dip. I don't really find him that impressive, overpaid considerably.

[Neeva]

What if Philly realize how flawed Simmons is or Simmons demands a trade and lower his value and the asking price is only McDaniels, Beasley and couple of heavily protected 1sts? Do we still pull the trigger? We can always sign another spot up shooter to replace Beasley.

I have McDaniels being worth more than Simmons in a few seasons so no way he is going anywhere. McDaniels is the type that will improve each and every season while Simmons is getting worse since his rookie year.

[IceManBK1]

Simmons is still only 25 I think... Obviously Philly didn't develop him currently. Maybe Flinch is able to bring the best outta him. We don't really need him to shoot 3s though. Even without a 3 pt shot he still a better scorer than any PF we have.

[SO_MONEY]

Simmons is still only 25 I think... Obviously Philly didn't develop him currently. Maybe Flinch is able to bring the best outta him. We don't really need him to shoot 3s though. Even without a 3 pt shot he still a better scorer than any PF we have.

You don't pay "maybes" 30mil and you don't give up any real value for them when they are paid like that.

[Calinks]

It would be haaaard for me to trade McDaniels.

[Domejandro]

I genuinely hope fans of other teams don’t look at this thread, lmao. Dear Lord.

[Neeva]

Another fourth quarter with No all star all defensive player Simmons on the court for Philly lol
To be fair he does lead Philly with -8

Lol dear lord at the people who are completely ignoring Simmons abhorrent play in the playoffs.

[jpatrick]

Another fourth quarter with No all star all defensive player Simmons on the court for Philly lol
To be fair he does lead Philly with -8

Lol dear lord at the people who are completely ignoring Simmons abhorrent play in the playoffs.

I don’t see the value in Simmons. I’d take him for his defense but not at what it would cost. I also don’t see Collins as someone worth a max or near max.

[Neeva]

Simmons is a mental midget, Trae is just missing good looks.

[Domejandro]

Another fourth quarter with No all star all defensive player Simmons on the court for Philly lol
To be fair he does lead Philly with -8

Lol dear lord at the people who are completely ignoring Simmons abhorrent play in the playoffs.

Dude played phenomenal defense when he played in the beginning of that quarter, did you see the blocks on Gallinari and Young? Of course Philadelphia isn’t going to play him for the stretch that they are in the bonus because of his massive weakness as a free throw shooter (they then brought him in to defend during the final two minutes). I am genuinely baffled about why you hate the dude so much, it’s fantasyland level stuff. He has a massive negative to his game and a myriad of positives, this really isn’t that hard to understand.

Like, do you know the guy personally and he was an ****? I am flabbergasted.

[Neeva]

Simmons is NOT worth his contract as a defensive specialist in the playoffs, it is simple. I hate the sixers and am cringing watching this dude completely suck at everything that isn’t defense. There is no **** way I could tolerate him in a wolves uniform playing this way when it matters the most(which would be made worse when we see Jalen Suggs and Jalen Green both have solid rookie seasons)

[Domejandro]

He aint worth his contract as a defensive specialist in the playoffs, its simple. Any reason you love him so much lol

Because he addresses every massive hole that Minnesota has, and would fit unbelievably well with the rest of the roster. Especially for the cost of expirings and the third overall draft pick.

Minnesota has an entire roster of elite scorers/shooters, I think a perennial DPOY candidate that is also an elite ball-handler and playmaker is such a no-brainer that I am losing my mind. It’s like saying that Draymond Green was holding back the Golden State Warriors because of his inability to score. In certain situations, sure, but the benefits far outweighed the negatives, especially given the context of the roster.

It’s not a “I specifically love Ben Simmons” sort of thing, I am just genuinely astounded at the takes I am reading. At some point I’ll just give up and avoid the thread, but until then I am pretty fine with being the minority on this one. Every other fan base would think that this board is smoking the good stuff, is all I am saying.

[Neeva]

There are cheaper options for defense out there dude.

[SO_MONEY]

There are cheaper options for defense out there dude.

This.

[SO_MONEY]

He aint worth his contract as a defensive specialist in the playoffs, its simple. Any reason you love him so much lol

Because he addresses every massive hole that Minnesota has, and would fit unbelievably well with the rest of the roster. Especially for the cost of expirings and the third overall draft pick.

Minnesota has an entire roster of elite scorers/shooters, I think a perennial DPOY candidate that is also an elite ball-handler and playmaker is such a no-brainer that I am losing my mind. It’s like saying that Draymond Green was holding back the Golden State Warriors because of his inability to score. In certain situations, sure, but the benefits far outweighed the negatives, especially given the context of the roster.

It’s not a “I specifically love Ben Simmons” sort of thing, I am just genuinely astounded at the takes I am reading. At some point I’ll just give up and avoid the thread, but until then I am pretty fine with being the minority on this one. Every other fan base would think that this board is smoking the good stuff, is all I am saying.

I don't think he is a great fit, in fact I think he is a poor fit on most teams given his salary. He is the type of player given his limitations that presents problems to teams. His lack of development and this very thing coming to fruition in PHI (why they might trade him) only bares this out. People are not exactly being realistic about Simmons. Now, he might still have some hype and a team may overpay, we should hope that is not the Wolves and we address interior defense in a smarter more cost effective manner, while keeping our assets.

Draymond is also a career 31 percent 3pt shooter, not nearly as limited offensively as Simmons.

[Domejandro]

There are cheaper options for defense out there dude.

This.

2021/2022 salaries....

First Team:
$39,344,970 - Giannis Antetokounmpo (Forward)
$35,344,828 - Rudy Gobert (Center)
$31,590,000 - Ben Simmons (Guard)
$30,133,333 - Jrue Holiday (Guard)
$24,026,712 - Draymond Green (Forward)

Second Team:
$36,016,200 - Kawhi Leonard (Forward)
$36,016,200 - Jimmy Butler (Guard)
$28,103,550 - Bam Adebayo (Center)
$13,302,325 - Brook Lopez (Center)
$02,840,160 - Matisse Thybulle (Guard)

Keep in mind, Ben Simmons is far more dynamic offensively than Rudy Gobert, Matisse Thybulle, and (at this point) Draymond Green, and roughly the same offensively as Bam Adebayo. I don't know how many times I am going to harp on this, but Ben Simmons is comfortably a top three defensive player in the entire League, can defend all five positions, is an elite ballhandler and facilitator, plays well as a cutter, and is a great finisher, despite defenses packing the paint on his drives. He's also twenty-four.

Minnesota has played Rudy Gobert off of the court (as has Golden State, in the past), does that make him not worth a maximum contract? Of course not, that would be a ludicrous assertion, but here we are in crazy town making the same assertion towards Ben Simmons, when Minnesota has the greatest three-point shooting Center in NBA history, D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Anthony Edwards to surround Ben Simmons, along with Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, and Jaylen Nowell coming off the bench. The fit is obvious, I am pretty much content leaving it at that, if people actually don't have interest acknowledging that.