The Golden State Warriors, over the last several years, have been involved in blockbuster trade rumors. It feels as though no other team in the NBA gets as involved in these senseless trade proposals.
After three titles in five years, the Warriors, given the prowess and dominance of their Big 3, are always one player away from being title favorites. With Klay Thompson set to return, their time could be now.
Assuming the Golden State Warriors would retain three-time All-Star Draymond Green, any proposed trade for Sixers’ Ben Simmons would make little sense.
With two lottery picks, at No. 7 and No. 14, in the upcoming NBA Draft, there’s no denying that they’re going to be able to rebound nicely after missing the playoffs. Golden State lost back-to-back games in the play-in tournament.
While they would’ve been a tough out in a seven-game series, they went home early, and they’re back to the drawing board with how to best retool their team. Which trade target will best help them contend?
There will only be a handful on the market, and one two-time All-Star commonly being linked to Golden State is Ben Simmons.
Simmons shot just three times in the fourth quarter of a seven-game series against Atlanta. He’s been under heat ever since, and while he’s not openly on the block, there has been a plethora of rumors including Stephen A. Smith saying the Dubs could make a “push” for him.
Given his value and skillset, trading for Simmons would just make zero sense.
The only way it would start to be reasonable is if the Warriors traded away Green. Green has been with the team since the 2012-2013 season. He’s not going anywhere as he’s forged a relationship with Thompson and Curry.
Then, any Simmons buzz would make zero sense. Simmons and Green cannot both get 30-32 minutes per game and co-exist on a winning team.
Sure, the team may be a playoff-contending team, but in the playoffs, teams must execute in the halfcourt. The shots wouldn’t be nearly as easy for Curry and Thompson if they have two non-shooters on the court.
Green averaged his lowest threes per game since his rookie season this past year. As for Simmons, he shot just ten threes the entire season. It would be a brutal display of spacing despite the defensive prowess the duo may help instill.
Other stars like Myles Turner make far more sense and could be better long-term additions for a cheaper valuation and a better fit. While the buzz is there for Simmons to the Bay, it really shouldn’t be.