Ben Simmons can reach full potential with Golden State Warriors

It’s not hard to imagine Ben Simmons making the starting five for the Golden State Warriors assuming he joins them. The rumor mills have been busy churning out reports of a potential move and even as that gathers steam, the only question is whether Simmons is a good, scratch that, a decent fit in a team that’s gunning for a championship.

Safe to say, there’s no love left between Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers. And if there is that interest the Warriors have in acquiring him, it would be on two conditions – the price and perhaps maximize his unique playmaking and defensive skills he brings to the table.

He averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in the 2020-21 season. A field-goal percentage of 55.7, a three-point percentage of 30.0, and a 61.3 FT%. The Warriors’ elite defensive presence, Draymond Green tops him in just FT% (He makes 79.5%).

That’s not to say they can’t shoot, and naturally, it would be blasphemy to even compare. The Australian native is average when it comes to shooting, and although he has those moments where he changes the course of the game, it’s about how he fits within the fold. There’s a lot Simmons can learn from Green at this point in his career.

Ben Simmons will have an opportunity to come into his own and reach his max potential if he joins the Golden State Warriors.

Green mentoring rookie James Wiseman last season was quite a sight to see. As the league’s best defender, he knows a thing or two about how the role, if executed to perfection in clutch situations could massively tilt games in the team’s favor.

Just look at this line-up hypothetically –  Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, add another shooter to the mix followed by Draymond Green and Ben Simmons, it will be a fairly good mix of shooting and precision playmaking- a valid point by ESPN’s Zach Lowe when he outlined his theory on the ‘Lowe Post’ podcast.

Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody gave the world a glimpse of their raw skillset that sort of questions they need for Simmons in the side, however, during his time with the Sixers, he’s showcased his passing skills, and can be tough to grapple with if looked at his combined power forward size and strength. He lacks a jumper, sure, but he’s good defensively and that’s something that cannot be ignored.

Green mentored Wiseman, and there’s no reason why he wouldn’t do the same for a 25-year-old who has the potential. Green’s on-court awareness, game IQ, his innate ability to facilitate out of the post and make life tough make for off-ball defenders to keep their eyes on their man and the ball simultaneously are all skills that Ben Simmons could learn.

With the right chemistry (that looks questionable on paper at the moment), this could be a place where Simmons could use the learning curve and eventually come into his own.