Should the Wolves trade for Ben Simmons?
Ben Simmons’ future with the Philadelphia 76ers is up in the air after another disappointing postseason run. With rumors swirling about the team’s future, the Minnesota Timberwolves should look to trade for him.
Since the Timberwolves hired Gersson Rosas in 2019, his way of doing business has always been looking into acquiring star players. Whenever there’s a disgruntled star or an opportunity to trade for a player on a down year, it’s almost a guarantee that he will be sniffing around to find out what it will cost.
Minnesota is rarely in position to sign top-tier free agents. Those players usually head for the bigger markets like Miami or Los Angeles. Instead, the Timberwolves improve their team through the draft and trades. This year they don’t have a draft pick in the NBA draft after trading away their pick to the Golden State Warriors.
The Wolves weren’t able to sign D’Angelo Russell in free agency because he chose a bigger market in Golden State. Which led to Minnesota trading for him in 2020, giving up Andrew Wiggins and a top-three protected pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Minnesota now has the opportunity to pounce on a player that underperformed in the recent playoffs. Simmons fit with the 76ers has always been in question. In order to maximize the team’s potential, they acquired players who can stretch the floor. Despite the team grabbing the No. 1 seed in a top-heavy Eastern Conference, Philadelphia was knocked out of the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks.
While it has become clear that Simmons and Joel Embiid aren’t the best pairing; could there be success with Simmons and Karl-Anthony Towns?
The biggest issue with Embiid and Simmons was their lack of ability to stretch the floor. Both wreaked havoc on the defensive end, but when the team needed self-creating offense, it wasn’t clear as to where the ball should go. Obviously Embiid is an immense talent, but he’s not going to create his own shot like Jimmy Butler – who they should have attempted to re-sign during the 2019 offseason.
However, one of Towns’ best attributes is stretching the floor. This season he averaged 24.8 points per game on 48.6 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from 3. In other seasons, Towns saw percentages above 40 percent from 3.
Minnesota also saw improvement on the defensive end from Towns, which has his biggest question mark. This was arguably his best defensive season and could even see another step forward with new assistant coach, Joseph Blair, who just so happened to be coming over from Philadelphia.
Towns and Simmons both compliment each other. Simmons is one of the best defenders in the league and Towns is one of the best offensive centers. In theory, Simmons would be able attack to the basket and kick out to an open Towns for 3. On the other end, Simmons can be the lead point-of-attack defender and allow Towns to not always be in a vulnerable position when guards are attacking the rim.
Simmons is one of the best transition players in basketball. Anthony Edwards would find himself a lot of easy buckets at the rim with Simmons pushing the pace.
If the Wolves are able to keep Russell, he is another player who would benefit in spot-up opportunities with Simmons attacking the rim. Not to mention the fact that Simmons would take a lot of pressure off Russell on the defensive end.
Minnesota ranked 28th in the NBA in defensive rating at 114.5. Whereas the Sixers, who have multiple great defenders, ranked second at 107.0. Simmons played a large role in why they had success on that end of the floor. This season he was named to first team all-defense.
He does come with some baggage, however, and was under fire for his offensive performance in the playoffs. A change of scenery would benefit him immensely and Minnesota has the talent to take a lot of the pressure off him on offense.
Simmons wasn’t on the floor for the remaining seconds of Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks because he doesn’t have the ability to create his own shot. A crucial turning point in that game came in the fourth quarter in which he passed up an open dunk, passed to Matisse Thybulle, who eventually was fouled but only made one free throw during that possession.
Simmons is set to make close to $147 million over the next four years. But his value has never been lower, which is the perfect time for Minnesota to strike.
According to KSTP reporter, Darren Wolfson, The Timberwolves want the former No. 1 overall pick badly.
If Minnesota doesn’t give up Edwards, Towns or Russell, then they will most likely have to trade at least two first round picks. The best case scenario is if they can get a third team involved like the Toronto Raptors. Toronto has the No. 4 pick in the upcoming draft and could potentially take a point guard and let longtime Raptor Kyle Lowry go.
The Sixers have had interest in Lowry before, but would they work a sign-and-trade with Minnesota and Toronto? If so, Minnesota would likely have to give up Ricky Rubio, Malik Beasley and two-to-three first round picks.
If they aren’t able to get another team involved, they may have to give up Russell, Beasley and a pick.
At the end of the day, despite Simmons’ struggles, the Wolves should be working tirelessly to trade for him. Presuming Edwards and Towns are off the table, Minnesota shouldn’t be hesitating, especially knowing the pressure they have to make the playoffs.
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