New Orleans Pelicans: Pros and Cons of Trading for Ben Simmons

Pros: Ben Simmons could be an interesting fit with the New Orleans Pelicans and has upside

When thinking about potentially adding Ben Simmons to the New Orleans Pelicans roster, the ideas of how the team could utilize him are endless.

Starting on offense, Ben Simmons is 6’10” and truly a positionless basketball player. Simmons would become the primary playmaker for the Pelicans offense but that role could take many shapes.

First, there’s the clear-cut role of Simmons playing as the team’s point guard where he could form an interesting Spain pick-and-roll action with co-stars Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.

At times when Williamson is on the bench, the New Orleans Pelicans can get funky with how they utilize Simmons by turning him into a big. We already saw the 76ers play Ben Simmons at power forward in a Blake Griffin type of role, why not take it one step forward.

Imagine in those times when Williamson is not on the court, Ben Simmons playing as a point-center. That would be something amazing to watch. It could give the New Orleans Pelicans an added dimension to their offense with a center who can play like Nikola Jokic.

On the defensive end of the floor, Simmons is no stiff there either. Ben Simmons is one of the NBA’s most versatile defenders as a player who can guard every position on the court. There’s a chance that Simmons and Williamson could turn into a devastating defensive duo.

Of course, we had to mention Ben Simmons’ shooting at some point. Ben Simmons hasn’t been a reliable three-point shooter but in the bubble, he began taking corner threes. With a change of scenery and a different coaching staff, there’s still the potential that Simmons’ shooting completely changes.

If that happens that would be adding even more layers to some of the positives Ben Simmons could bring to the New Orleans Pelicans.