NBA World Reacts To Latest Ben Simmons Trade News

A closeup of Ben Simmons.
A closeup of Ben Simmons.

After a pretty dreadful run in the 2021 playoffs, it sounds like the relationship between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers has deteriorated. A new report pegs the Golden State Warriors as a team that Simmons is interested in.

Of course, Simmons has limited control over his situation. While the 76ers have reportedly shopped him, it has been said that they’re asking for a wild James Harden-like return for him.

Simmons is one of the NBA’s most valuable defenders and a top playmaker. His complete inability to shoot the ball is a major issue though, and it is hard to see Philly getting anything close to what the Brooklyn Nets gave the Houston Rockets during the 2020-21 season for Harden.

The Warriors are an interesting fit, though. The team, which just locked up Stephen Curry on a massive extension, is in win-now mode. The team brings back Klay Thompson from injury. Adding Simmons would give them three of the most versatile defenders in the NBA, along with Thompson and Draymond Green.

There may be no team better suited to mask Simmons’ offensive difficiences than Golden State, either. Curry and Thompson space the floor as well as anyone in the NBA. There’d be little pressure for Simmons to provide outside shooting or be a primary offensive option.

Fans are pretty divided on the perspective move for Simmons and Golden State, and people don’t seem impressed with him “cutting off communication” with Philly:

This isn’t the first we’ve heard on the Ben Simmons and Golden State Warriors front. A week ago, it was reported that the Warriors turned down a pretty jarring offer from Philadelphia before the 2021 NBA Draft: James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, the Nos. 7 and 14 picks in the first round and two future first-round picks.

The Warriors wound up taking Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody with those respective picks. We’ll see if they’re able to find a more feasible move with Philly, but as of now, it seems like the 76ers are holding firm on that huge return.

[Jason Dumas]

The post NBA World Reacts To Latest Ben Simmons Trade News appeared first on The Spun.

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