Ben Simmons is going to be in some Pelicans’ trade rumors but it’s a move they should avoid…unless the price is right.
Simmons was awful in the playoffs this season, especially against Atlanta, where he scored a combined 19 points in the last three games.
He only shot four times in the deciding game seven, which is unacceptable from a guy who is supposed to be one of the cornerstones of the team.
The New Orleans Pelicans are a dynamic offensive team that stinks on defense, so Ben Simmons could be a fit but only if the price is low.
Pelicans: How desperate will the 76ers be to trade Ben Simmons?
The 76ers are going into the offseason with a sense of desperation. The “Process” has yet to yield many playoff wins and many think the pairing of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid is part of the problem.
Simmons takes most of the blame, even though Embiid’s injury problems have been just as big a culprit as Simmons’ awful shooting.
But Simmons is a guy who averages 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists per game for his career, he was the number one overall pick and is one of the best defenders in the league at 24-years-old.
How desperate will they be to move a player with his unique resume? The answer to that will tell you how likely the Pelicans would be to trade for him.
Is Ben Simmons a fit with the New Orleans Pelicans?
Before we get into a hypothetical trade, it’s probably a good idea to ask if this is even a good fit. The answer is yes and no.
No, Simmons is not a fit with the team as currently constructed, but yes, he could be with the right roster makeover that would obviously have to include adding a lot of shooters to surround Ben Simmons and Zion Williamson.
It also depends on what the Pelicans would have to give up to get him, as they have a few veteran contracts that they would love to move. Simmons is one of the best defensive players in the NBA, so would help the Pelicans’ woeful defense, but he isn’t going to do much to help their awful 3-point shooting.
Also, the Pels already have a big point guard in Zion, so Simmons would have to play center or power forward to make it work offensively, which he might not be willing to do. I do like the idea of just running with a small and versatile team, especially with Simmons, who can cover a lot of ground defensively.
The short answer is that it might be able to work, but it wouldn’t be worth the risk unless the price was low.
So what would a “low cost” trade look like? Easy.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading for Ben Simmons
Here is a trade that I would consider “low cost” and might get the 76ers attention, though I imagine they will have several suitors for Ben Simmons if they make him available.
In this trade, the Pelicans jettison veterans Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams, who weren’t the best fits with Zion Williamson, especially Bledsoe, who doesn’t provide shooting or defense.
They also give up the first round pick they are owed from the Lakers next season, which will not likely be in the top-20 unless the Lakers fall apart.
The Pelicans get a big defender to put with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, giving them a pretty amazing and diverse “Big 3” that would still need a lot of help.
The Pelicans would do this to get the defense they need and to take a risk on a high-ceiling talent who has made three All-Star appearances in his four years in the league. It would give them three All-Stars under the age of 25 and should vastly improve the defense.
The 76ers would do this to clear cap space and to get out from Simmons’ huge contract, which runs through the 2024-25 season.
I don’t think this trade is going to happen, but if the Pelicans could get an All-Star talent without giving up much, they’d have to at least consider it.