Stephen A. Smith believes Warriors will “push” for Ben Simmons

The Golden State Warriors are not shy when it comes to improving their roster. Following the loss of the 2016 NBA Finals, they went out and signed former MVP Kevin Durant, winning two of the next three NBA Championships.

It hasn’t just been signings as Golden State made a sign-and-trade deal to bring in D’Angelo Russell then traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves just a few months following that big-time move.

The Golden State Warriors are used to making blockbuster moves, and according to one ESPN analyst, they may be pushing for Ben Simmons.

That to say, Golden State does what they can to put a product on the court that can win. With two-time MVP Stephen Curry and five-time All-Star Klay Thompson on the roster, they’ll always be able to compete.

Now, what pieces do they need to become true title contenders is a different story. With Draymond Green in the picture as well, could the Warriors make a move for All-Star Ben Simmons?

The Sixers haven’t quite said he’s available in trades but not everyone believes that. Stephen A. Smith certainly doesn’t believe the front that Philadelphia doesn’t want to move on from Simmons.

"“I believe the Golden State Warriors are going to make a push for Ben Simmons. So stay tuned. It’s possible Ben Simmons could end up in Golden State with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green,” Smith said on his popular ESPN show First Take."

Do the Warriors actually make sense though? Most should argue that they don’t. Especially considering that in bringing in Simmons and making the contracts match they’d have to trade away small forward Andrew Wiggins, any deal would make even less sense.

On top of that, Simmons’s inability to shoot from deep would hamper the Warriors as Green’s three-point percentages have also waned drastically over the last few seasons. Having two non-shooters in the lineup doesn’t make much sense in the modern-day NBA.

Now, Simmons does bring upside as he was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. Some can argue his vision is even better than Green’s as well, but at the end of the day, Simmons proved he can’t be a great option in the halfcourt.

Despite Smith’s claim that Golden State should make a push for Simmons, it really doesn’t seem likely. The Warriors have always made sensible moves, and this wouldn’t be one of those, especially considering how highly valued Philadelphia may have him.

If it would cost both lottery picks, there’s no way it’s worth Golden State’s assets.