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

Cons: Ben Simmons brings serious developmental concerns to the New Orleans Pelicans

Adding Ben Simmons to this New Orleans Pelicans roster doesn’t come without risk. For as good as Ben Simmons is, the flaws in his game could be harmful to the New Orleans Pelicans roster.

The obvious concern is again Simmons’ three-point shooting. What if he never gets any better? Then the New Orleans Pelicans fall into the same problems Philadelphia had with Simmons on the roster.

The problem with his shooting then branches out to other problems. If Simmons can’t improve his three-point shooting issue that means the only way he would be effective for the New Orleans Pelicans’ offense would be in an up-tempo game with the ball in his hands.

If this is the case, the New Orleans Pelicans would be taking the ball out of the hands of at least Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson who have otherworldly abilities of their own.

That’s before even getting into how trading for Ben Simmons could backfire if the players sent to Philadelphia become key members of a championship contender while Simmons flounders. In trading for Simmons, the Pelicans would be losing a combination of Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and what if Holiday continues to play good basketball and the other two players become something special?

The Verdict

Trading for Ben Simmons is not slam dunk move, at least not right now. The flaws in Ben Simmons’ game outweigh the things he can bring to the table. That makes it a risky move for the New Orleans Pelicans to make.

Instead of trading valuable assets for a player who is a questionable fit, David Griffin and the New Orleans Pelicans should continue to focus on building up their youthful core. Trading young talent away right now wouldn’t make sense unless a young star who would fit perfectly with the Pelicans core pieces becomes available.