Warriors could get creative to get talent
Is Simmons’ playmaking, defense worth his lack of scoring for Warriors to take a chance?
With a run of five straight Finals appearances in their recent past and enough assets to field a serious offer for a star player, the Warriors will undoubtedly be tied to any big name deemed available for trade.
So when The Athletic reported Tuesday that the Philadelphia 76ers are discussing trades for Ben Simmons, it’s worth taking a look at Simmons’ potential fit with Golden State and if he’d be worth what it might cost in a deal.
According to The Athletic’s report, the 76ers are seeking “a high price” that includes an All-star-caliber player in return for Simmons, a three-time Allstar whose underwhelming playoff performance has landed him at a career crossroads.
Simmons helped the 76ers to the best record in the East during the regular season, but his disappointing display against the Hawks in the second round ended Philadelphia’s postseason and led many to believe that Simmons could be playing for a new team next season.
During that seven-game series, Simmons averaged less than 10 points and did not attempt a shot in a fourth quarter over the final four games of the series — hesitancy hardly befitting of a star player.
His postseason clunker notwithstanding, there should be substantial interest in Simmons across the league. Simmons, who will turn 25 this month, is a talented but flawed player. At 6-foot-11, 240 pounds, he’s a dominant, flexible defender and skilled passer. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting this season and has averaged 7.7 assists for his career. He’s also an efficient finisher, having converted nearly 72% of his shot attempts within 3 feet of the basket for his career.
Some around the league believe if Simmons were the centerpiece of an offense the way the Milwaukee Bucks have oriented things around Giannis Antetokounmpo — the twotime MVP currently putting together a historic performance in the Finals — that Simmons could put up similar numbers.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have a stated need for playmaking, and could use a player with Simmons’ size and finishing ability. Under coach Steve Kerr, this is a team that prides itself on defensive versatility and ball movement. On paper, Simmons fits that ethos.
The problem is that Golden State finished the season with the league’s 20th-ranked offense and Simmons is not the shooter who can help space the floor for Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Instead, his playmaking and reluctance to shoot could overlap too much with Green and put even more pressure on Curry to carry the scoring load.
Still, players with Simmons’ talent are rare, and if the Warriors believe Simmons’ playoff bungle doesn’t signal a downward trend, it makes sense for general manager Bob Myers to make a call.
What can Golden State offer? Last year’s secondoverall pick James Wiseman, this year’s seventh and 14th picks and Andrew Wiggins’ salary is the kitchen-sink package.
But if the 76ers are indeed seeking an “All-star-caliber” player, the Warriors’ package might not get it done, unless Philadelphia believes Wiggins is that player. That deal is also centered around assets and young players that don’t help Philadelphia — a team with championship aspirations — win now.
For the Warriors to land Simmons, it would likely require a third team seeking to rebuild taking on Golden State’s assets in exchange for an All-star player going to Philadelphia. The problem is there aren’t many teams with ready-made All-stars looking to blow up their rosters. Finding a deal that makes sense is difficult, and many in the league doubt that 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey will deal Simmons for less than his perceived value.
But if the 76ers are serious about trading Simmons, something could materialize. It’s possible that the Warriors could get in on it but, for now, it doesn’t appear likely. Philadelphia might be better off sending Simmons somewhere else, while Golden State holds onto its assets for another opportunity.