Ben Simmons Containment Thread Take 3

[VeritasTri]

I don't think Minnesota will be able to get Morey to bite without giving up Edwards.
KAT, Simmons and D'lo are supposedly BFFs (?) and on the same time-line too, so perhaps, they should roll with that trio instead of the one they have.

But just last year it was Devin Booker as the 3rd BFF. What happen?

Nothing happened, those guys are all part of the same little clique. NBA guys typically know each other as well as guys a couple years +/- of them in age through AAU/college/high school. Booker and Towns knew each other from AAU and went to Kentucky together. Dlo and Simmons played on the same HS team. Hell there is a video going around showing Dlo/Booker when they were like 16 at some event. There was a SLAM cover story with Dlo/Towns/Booker plotting to play together.

Why do you think nobody is questioning Simmons willingness to go to MN? Cuz he loves the cold? The wolves historic legacy of winning? Because its well known he is buddies with Dlo/Towns.

[Scalabrine]

Brogdon and Beasley

[Texas Chuck]

I cant wait until philly fans are curled up in a corner rocking back and forth muttering "but he was signed for 4 years" as they try to decide between burning the wells fargo center down or seppuku.

The great thing about this situation is eventually a deal will be made and we will no longer have to speculate. Then we can shift to philly fans trying to convince others that the return they got is great, and that nobody REALLY thought they were going to get a star.

Attacking fanbases and joking about suicide continue to be unacceptable, even on your alt account. Knock it off.

[penbeast0]

Not thinking Pat Bev would be much help in Washington as we just picked up backup defensive PG Aaron Holiday (with Neto there still too) unless there are injury issues. ON the other hand, he's not less useful than whoever ends up our 3rd string PF so I guess it would be about the 2's and our evaluation of future value of Bertans, Kuzma, and Beverley.

Of course, I'd really love to see a deal to bring Simmons to Washington though that deal might have to work around Dinwiddie who can't be traded for a long long time which sort of kills it. But faint hopes of relevance die hard for fanbases who haven't seen a relevant team since Jimmy Carter was president (or arguably never in Minnesota's case).

[GutUNC]

“ Embiid/Doc also gently say he played like crap publicly.”
Yeah, not sure Simmons sees it as “gently” saying it if he’s cut communication off with the two of them as reported.
I doubt it comes to the point of not showing up to camp, though that is an option, but I see no reason why Simmons would just play along to ensure Philly gets a good return at this point. It’s likely going to be an unwanted distraction the Sixers can’t afford until he’s dealt

It was reported that he cut out communication with the team entirely, then 4-5 guys casually said they've talked to him when asked. Which reinforces my original point that maybe we shouldn't treat every unsourced report as gospel.

There's certainly enough smoke to signify a strained relationship and a desire on all sides to move on, but that's quite a ways from the assurances that he's going to hold out, that he's not coming to camp, and/or that the Sixers are just going to have to accept whatever can be wheeled to their front door to get rid of him.

When it was mentioned he cut off communication with the team, it specifically said he wasn’t returning Embid’s calls and directing the FO to deal with Klutch. Because the second tier guys like Tyrone Maxey are like “hey, he talks to me” doesn’t exactly lighten the situation. If he ain’t talking to the star player, head coach or GM, he can talk to Maxey, Bassey or Ashy Larry and it won’t matter.

As far as the holding out of camp. That came from established Klutch mouthpiece Kendrick Perkins. Who do you think he’s speaking for when he goes on national TV and says it while the other Klutch mouthpiece, Rachel Nichols, makes sure he repeats it.

We’ll see if Klutch got it in them to see the threat through, but the current moves don’t scream someone that’s looking to play along with the team management to ensure they get a good return. Like I said before, we’ll all have to see who blinks first

I think he's reading the Jason Dumas tweet that got attention the night before. Echo chamber.

You can call playing basketball "playing along with team management" but that just sound like misdirection. This isn't a guy who's trying to get paid or got benched by his team; I would assume even Klutch would tell him that refusing to play isn't going to help as much as going out there and wiping out the bad memory of when everyone last saw him - at least until the trade deadline.

[Scalabrine]

What cost is MIN paying here? A young guy that looks like a nice role player (McDaniels), a gunner (Beasley) and some picks that likely end up in the 20's?

MIN is like PDX, they need to trade for stars. If they can get Simmons locked up for role players and late picks, they do it. Albeit I dont think that foursome has any sort of leadership traits or moxie to make it deep into the POs.

They could find some veterans to fill that role. This would give them 4 25 year olds plus a 20 year old number 1 pick. You worry about finding the leadership at a different date.

[Texas Chuck]

All things Ben Simmons here please.

[NW]

I don't think Minnesota will be able to get Morey to bite without giving up Edwards.
KAT, Simmons and D'lo are supposedly BFFs (?) and on the same time-line too, so perhaps, they should roll with that trio instead of the one they have.

But just last year it was Devin Booker as the 3rd BFF. What happen?

Nothing happened, those guys are all part of the same little clique. NBA guys typically know each other as well as guys a couple years +/- of them in age through AAU/college/high school. Booker and Towns knew each other from AAU and went to Kentucky together. Dlo and Simmons played on the same HS team. Hell there is a video going around showing Dlo/Booker when they were like 16 at some event. There was a SLAM cover story with Dlo/Towns/Booker plotting to play together.

Why do you think nobody is questioning Simmons willingness to go to MN? Cuz he loves the cold? The wolves historic legacy of winning? Because its well known he is buddies with Dlo/Towns.

Who’s not questioning Simmons willingness to go to Minnesota? More like it isn’t even at that point because the only news is Minnesota wants Simmons and don’t have the pieces. Not that Simmons wants Minnesota or Philly is even considering them. Hell, has Minny even got the rumor of Morey asking for a ridiculous amount like he did for GS and the Spurs?

I imagine you put a gun to Simmons head and ask him where he’d least like to go, Minny ends up in the top 3 somewhere. That’s why their only chance is a third team at least

[Bentley1225]

To Philly: CJ McCollum, 2025 Minnesota 1st
To Portland: Beverley, Beasley, McDaniels, 2023 Minnesota 1st, 2027 Minnesota 1st
To Minnesota: Ben Simmons

[SO_MONEY]

In light of reports Minny is still pushing for Simmons and Im assuming doesn't want to include Towns/Russell/Edwards in a deal. What team is willing to be involved that a) would give up a 'win-now' player and b) wouldn't want Simmons in return?

Ill assume Beverly/Beasley/McDaniels/2023 1st/2025 1st/2027 1st are assets on the table for Minny to complete a deal.

I think Simmons is overvalued on here, Philly can keep him and deal with all the problems that come with him and his contract.

So many problems that they led to the #1 seed last season and if Green doesn't get hurt they beat Atlanta and get to the ECF and who knows what happens from there.

But I get that Minny shouldn't bring Simmons to town and wreck the momentum they've had going for the last decade. What seed were the T-Pups again last year? Or the year before? Or the year before? Or...

If a deal has to have #1 picks added to it to equalize value then it's not what the Sixers are seeking. We need players now to compete in June 2022. Not June 2028. That's the timeline that should frame any/every deal.

I could really do without your attacks against MN based in past performance, because past performance doesn't have anything to do with current situations or future ones.

The reality is Simmons would be fighting for that 4/5 staring option on MN and paying $35mil for that isn't an exciting proposition. So on that front MN isn't a good trade partner, but the problem is they are one of the few willing teams to take his salary and deal with the problems associated with it.

If Philadelphia wants to keep him and hope to rehab him all the power, but it is a risk.

[JRoy]

Any possibility the thread could be re-named “Young Socialite containment thread”?

Asking for a friend.

[MoneyTalks41890]

What cost is MIN paying here? A young guy that looks like a nice role player (McDaniels), a gunner (Beasley) and some picks that likely end up in the 20's?

MIN is like PDX, they need to trade for stars. If they can get Simmons locked up for role players and late picks, they do it. Albeit I dont think that foursome has any sort of leadership traits or moxie to make it deep into the POs.

Yeah I wouldn't put a lot of stock in some of the more absurd positions. Clearly Minny feels differently. Simmons is a perfect fit with DLo and Towns as a playmaker and defender, given their shooting abilities but weaknesses in those areas. With him they probably are well on their way to being a mid tier PO team. Without maybe a play in team, but probably not.

[NW]

It was reported that he cut out communication with the team entirely, then 4-5 guys casually said they've talked to him when asked. Which reinforces my original point that maybe we shouldn't treat every unsourced report as gospel.

There's certainly enough smoke to signify a strained relationship and a desire on all sides to move on, but that's quite a ways from the assurances that he's going to hold out, that he's not coming to camp, and/or that the Sixers are just going to have to accept whatever can be wheeled to their front door to get rid of him.

When it was mentioned he cut off communication with the team, it specifically said he wasn’t returning Embid’s calls and directing the FO to deal with Klutch. Because the second tier guys like Tyrone Maxey are like “hey, he talks to me” doesn’t exactly lighten the situation. If he ain’t talking to the star player, head coach or GM, he can talk to Maxey, Bassey or Ashy Larry and it won’t matter.

As far as the holding out of camp. That came from established Klutch mouthpiece Kendrick Perkins. Who do you think he’s speaking for when he goes on national TV and says it while the other Klutch mouthpiece, Rachel Nichols, makes sure he repeats it.

We’ll see if Klutch got it in them to see the threat through, but the current moves don’t scream someone that’s looking to play along with the team management to ensure they get a good return. Like I said before, we’ll all have to see who blinks first

I think he's reading the Jason Dumas tweet that got attention the night before. Echo chamber.

You can call playing basketball "playing along with team management" but that just sound like misdirection. This isn't a guy who's trying to get paid or got benched by his team; I would assume even Klutch would tell him that refusing to play isn't going to help as much as going out there and wiping out the bad memory of when everyone last saw him - at least until the trade deadline.

Perkins literally is a mouthpiece for the agency that represents Simmons. He don’t need to read a tweet or echo it. He’s only echoing one voice. Rich Paul.

Simmons has interest from teams. The last memory clearly did nothing but say it isn’t working in Philly. Plenty of teams will take him on. What they’ll give up for a distressed asset is another story.

[HartfordWhalers]

I find it hard to believe Minnesota has 4 better players than Simmons, but I will trust the people that follow Minnesota that closely.

[GopherIt!]

Let Ben eat (tasty)kake.

[BoogieTime]

On that list, McCollum is the only realistic option. Maybe Beal if Minnesota throws in swaps and Washington want to rebuild, but I maintain with Maxey the Sixers should not want to go SG

It has to be a team that wants to rebuild and has a star, that doesn't want Simmons. That is threading a delicate needle.

At this point I'd come back to Brogdon/first if I were the Sixers

[jpatrick]

Amazing how the perfect solution to Morey's dilemma as you see it is to trade Simmons to Minnesota for a pile of junk. What a happy coincidence!

The perfect solution is trading for Lillard, you guys should just do that.

Actually Steph Curry would probably fit better with Embiid, you should just do that.

Or just keep him! Im sure you can rattle off 30 other instances where players/coaches threw a guy under the bus, he cut off ties, there openly had discussions of trading him, everybody in the league thinks they will be traded, a player cuts off contact, a player gives a list of potential destinations...then they just didnt trade them and skipped off happily into the sunset.

I will wait.

You seem to be putting a lot of faith in vague reports. Perhaps I'll wait until Simmons refuses to play, and forfeits his salary, before I entertain your scenario.

After watching the Butler fiasco in MN and Harden mess in Houston, you think forcing Simmons to play for and with a coach/star that publicly threw him under the bus is a way to increase his value? He reportedly isn’t even communicating with the 76ers or Embiid now. I don’t think he’ll completely act out like Butler/Harden. But I’d guess you’re going to get the same effort he gave at LSU, when they were a better team before and after him because he didn’t care. Value will further tank. And he gets max money for the next four years no matter what.

[SNPA]

Minny gets Simmons
Sac gets Tobias/McDaniels
Philly gets Russell/Buddy/Bags/3 Minny 1sts/1 lotto protected Sac pick 1st.

Philly technically gets their asking price of a young all-star and bunch of firsts.

Minny goes in on Simmons.

Kings move parts for a big contract and upgrade.

[ThatBoyNick]

[rpa]

The problem here is that you're not only looking for a star caliber guard that a team may be willing to trade but also a team that would do so to facilitate a rebuild instead of just taking Simmons for themselves.

For example: if the Sixers had interest in a deal built around CJ+pieces for Simmons then why wouldn't Portland cut out Minnesota and pair Simmons and Lillard? Or if the Kings are trading Fox (they aren't) then they'd just take Simmons for themselves and cut out the Wolves.

Unless Washington suddenly decides to trade Beal I just don't see any other player+team that fits here (and if Washington does decide to do that you can bet GSW will be the frontrunner with a far better package than is being offered here). The Kings aren't moving Fox--and definitely not for a rebuilding package. The Bulls aren't coming off Lavine after giving up multiple future 1sts for vets.