Ben Simmons rumors: Warriors are reluctant to trade for Simmons with Draymond Green on duty, per. Report

3 Min To Read
01 Sep, 2021

Ben Simmons' name has been in trade rumors about what looks like his entire four-year, highly decorated NBA career, and for most of that time, the Golden State Warriors have been a rumor destination. Around Simmons, an All-NBA talent who excels in pretty much every aspect of basketball except shooting, with arguably the two best shooters in basketball history in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, makes perfect sense at per.

Now that Simmons, after much speculation, has reportedly requested trade from the Philadelphia 76ers and told them he is not going to sign up for training camp, Golden State is one of the possible landing sites given its roster construction and a host of young people. assets. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is clearly interested in a Golden State package that Philadelphia already has allegedly offered Simmons in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, No. 7 and 14 picks in the draft 2021 and two future first-rounders.

Needless to say, this offer was quickly and firmly rejected.

Now that discussions have presumably resumed following Simmons' trade request, there is another issue that could prevent the Warriors from pulling the trigger on a three-time All-Star deal. Although Simmons would seamlessly play alongside Curry and Thompson, the fit with Draymond Green — another non-shooting, playmaking guard in a pointed body — could prove problematic. The potential redundancy between Simmons and Green has been shared by the Warriors, according to Monte Poole of the NBC Sports Bay Area.

“According to league sources, any interest the Warriors may have in the Simmons is conditional,” Poole wrote. “In short, they’re not that interested as long as Draymond Green is on the list …

“The Warriors are divided on the subject, according to sources. Some see great potential in having two talented players who thrive in the principles of ball movement, especially in transition. Simmons also hopes to be six years younger than Green. Others, however, believe to have two “Non-shooters on the field are too crippling for an offense, even with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, to overcome, especially in the off-season.”

Poole went on to note that the Warriors rarely take a step without agreement from their large selection of decision makers, including the coaching staff and core players.

The idea of Simmons playing center in the latest incarnation of the famous Death Lineup alongside Curry, Thompson, Wiggins and Green is tantalizing. However, having two non-shooters on the court in a modern NBA offense is a risky proposition no matter how talented these players are in other areas.

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The next logical question is whether the Warriors would entertain the idea of trading Green to give Simmons room to flourish. Given Green’s history with the team, his resurgent 2020-21 campaign, and his unique chemistry with Curry and Thompson, it would be hard to imagine Golden State sending him anywhere else. But the front office would not do its job if it did not thoroughly consider any scenario that could potentially improve the team.

For what it’s worth, Poole said he “can’t imagine” CEO Joe Lacob and team president Bob Myers dealing with Green, but he also said it can’t be completely ruled out.

Warriors are in a unique position. They are expected to return to the championship this season, but also have three lottery picks on their list that would make excellent trade feed. It remains to be seen how they will continue, but their roster and top-level talent ensure the Warriors will be strong in the rumor mill when a superstar player becomes available.