fallguy wrote:djFan71 wrote:fallguy wrote:
The math doesn't work at any plausible salary for him. You can have White or Simons. You can't have both.
His archetype is getting devalued pretty heavily now. I think MLE is gonna be Simons' salary ceiling.
In 26-27, we're already at ~$153M for Tatum, Brown, Pritch and White. You want to spend $14M on another perimeter player (who can't defend)?
I also think PP + Simons makes the backcourt too small and vulnerable defensively.
I cannot see any plausible path forward with this guy.
"Another perimeter player"
2 of the guys you named are our starting forwards. Tatum is our PF.
Pritchard was a good defender last season. He plays bigger than his listed height, as a result of his toughness, strength and how good of a rebounder he is - one of the better rebounding guards in the league - especially on the offensive glass.
Let's see how Simons defends when he's actually on a real team with real coaching and a real defensive system - one with good defenders who can cover up any mistakes he makes. And where he'd be the 3rd/4th option so therefore he's having to exert less energy on offense (he was 1st/2nd option in Portland) so now with less of a demanding role on offense, he can have more energy when playing D. He's got a 6'9" wingspan and is very quick..so he does have the tools to be a decent defender.
Bottom line, to win a title you need a superstar (Tatum, check), another star (JB, check) and a solid, reliable 3rd and 4th scoring option (we've got white for 1 of them. Simons would give us the other. Pritchard is unproven in such a big role..he's only been a 6th man and he's struggled a bit in the playoffs throughout his career).