Klomp wrote:A couple of thoughts:
In a recent interview, one of our reporters (Jon?) said that our front office sees Simmons as a PF in our system and not a PG. This is important for those who think he would take the ball out of the hands of Russell and/or Edwards and thus hinder the offense more than help it.
Does he need the ball in his hands constantly in order to maximize his value to a team? I'd actually argue the opposite. Take a little bit off of his plate, and allow him to focus more where he can really shine. Do people think Draymond Green is overpaid for the role he plays in Golden State as a screener, cutter, secondary facilitator, defender? Would he have more value or less to his team if he facilitated more?
When did Simmons play his best? I'd argue it was 2018-19. Don't forget they took the world champs to 7 games that season (the only team to do that). What was different? He was put around great shooters and scorers and it allowed him to focus on what he is best at (his 16.9 ppg was 5th on the team).
People talk a lot about Simmons clogging the lane for a five-out offense (cue shrink). I think where this argument falls short is because we're starting to accumulate players with greater basketball IQ, and Simmons would be no exception. This isn't a situation like Wiggins where you have to tell him when and where to cut. This also isn't an offensive system like Saunders' that has rules about when you should cut. This is a read and react offense predicated on flow and less on play calls. Some people don't like the more street ball nature this can create, but it allows the players with greater IQ to shine because there are no limitations or rules placed on them. It's just basketball. This is where I think Simmons excels. His IQ is among the best in the league.Spoiler:
The ball will not be taken completely out of Simmons' hands. Just as an example, the coaches give players the green light for whoever rebounds the ball to start the fast break or secondary break. This is where Simmons can truly shine. He's not afraid of rebounding the ball, averaging 8 rebounds per game in his career (I remind you, this is while playing alongside career 11.3 rpg Joel Embiid, so he wouldn't be fazed by playing next to Towns in this category). How many Timberwolves do you know who have averaged 8 rpg in their careers? The list is not long, only six players in fact (Love, Towns, Garnett, Jefferson, Gugliotta, Laettner).
Now for the money talk. He's due $146,684,160 ($36,671,040 AAV) over the next four seasons. It's a lot of money, I admit, especially when Towns ($33,833,400 AAV for three seasons) and Russell ($30,695,625 AAV for two seasons) are also on the books. But this isn't that outlandish compared to the rest of the NBA landscape. Towns will turn 26 this season. Russell will turn 26 this season. Ben Simmons is 25 this season. These are not old players. These are not players on the downturn of their careers. A little context is important. Take this from a recent Hollinger article:Spoiler:
The NBA salary cap ($112.414 million) is very different from where it was even just a decade ago ($58.044 million).
Another thing in the team's favor is Anthony Edwards and his 11,504,565 AAV over the next three years. This is the time when you make a trade like this. Don't wait until Edwards is on his max contract.
In 2003-04, the Timberwolves Big 3 (+1) made 124% of the salary cap. A potential Big 3+1 in Minnesota (Towns, Edwards, Russell, Simmons) this season would be only 93% of the salary cap by comparison.
Damn this was the most well put together post on why a trade for Simmons would be a great thing.
Kind of hard to argue with all of this.
You might want to read my fairly even-handed view on whether Simmons is a bad contract as well.)
