The Clippers should be in no rush to break up a squad that looked like a potential Finals team prior to Leonard’s ACL injury. 15 when Jackson is eligible to be traded (or they’re interested in Eric Bledsoe for some reason), they wouldn’t be getting a point guard back in return for Simmons. It’s also worth noting that unless the Sixers wait to do the deal until Dec. Morey doesn’t necessarily have to adhere to the ‘California teams’ parameter, and has already proven he’s willing to hold out for the right offer. Simmons’ value is probably at an all-time low, but a package built around Mann and Zubac should be easily beatable. While picturing Simmons in a Clippers jersey is a fun exercise, it’s extremely far-fetched. Combine this with the fact that they’d be giving up quite a bit of their depth to get him, and the trade begins to seem inadvisable. These deficiencies make him quite a perplexing piece, and while a team built specifically around him could be successful, the Clippers already have their core intact and would not be wise to adjust their style (which has proven successful when everyone is healthy) just to incorporate Simmons. Teams will ignore him on the perimeter and send extra bodies at Leonard and George. As a Clipper, Simmons would run into the same issues he’s had every postseason when Embiid was in the post. And as much of an offensive genius as Tyronn Lue is, any basketball novice can tell you that Leonard and George are better offensive creators than Simmons, even at his best. Until he develops some semblance of a jump shot (it’s looking less likely every postseason that this will ever happen), Simmons is only a useful offensive player when he has the ball in his hands. However, the offensive dead weight that Simmons brings might make this a tough trade to swallow. LA would be a defensive juggernaut with the combined length of Leonard, George and Simmons swarming opponents on the perimeter. If any of these are deals that for some reason the Golden State Warriors or Los Angeles Lakers can’t beat (the Warriors absolutely can) then the Clippers should at least consider a trade given Simmons’ age and defensive versatility. LA would be short a backup center without Zubac, but the idea of Simmons as a backup power forward for second units alongside a small-ball center in Nicolas Batum is intriguing. He’s a better, more versatile defender than Mann, though he lacks the corner three-point shooting that Mann offers. Is Simmons worth these two cost-controlled assets? In a vacuum, probably. If Sixers GM Daryl Morey does entertain a deal with the Clippers (and that’s a huge and unlikely IF), these two will no-doubt be the first players he asks about.
WHO REPLACED BEN SIMMONS FREE
Mann is making $1.7 million this year and will likely become a restricted free agent next offseason, and Zubac is making $7.5 million each of the next two seasons, the latter year being a team option. So, beyond Leonard and George, what does LA have to offer? Their two most enticing young assets are Terance Mann and Ivica Zubac, both of whom are 24 years old (a year younger than Simmons).
This goes without saying, but it is important to remember that since these two ball-dominant wings are the Clippers’ franchise cornerstones, it would behoove the front office to acquire players that fit well around them.
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