Lack of shooting progress means Cavs shouldn’t trade for Ben Simmons

There’s also seemingly the Cavs’ pick, and Simmons’ postseason woes/contract situation for a non-shooter

Anyway, while I’d get potential Cavaliers interest in Simmons, or that of some Cavs fans at least, in today’s three-point loving NBA, I’d rather not ship out either of seemingly Garland or Sexton, arguably Cleveland’s two best shooters/scorers, for a player that can’t shoot and can be minimized in settled offense.

That’s along with I’d imagine Cleveland’s #3 pick, with possibly the rights to a possible first option scorer in Jalen Green or two-way big in Evan Mobley, both of whom could end up being superstars in the near future, with that, too.

And Simmons is set to make roughly $33, $35, $38 and $40 million over the next four seasons, as the other kicker.

Moreover, if I’m the Cavs, I’d pass on potentially trading for what is currently a complete non-shooter outside the paint in Simmons. The guy in the postseason didn’t miss shots, he didn’t even take them when it mattered, even on the interior; this was h/t Tommy Beer of Forbes.

Simmons’ only had 9.9 points per outing in that Atlanta series, and in Philly’s 2019 East Semis loss to the Toronto Raptors, while Jimmy Butler was with Philly then, Simmons still had an underwhelming 11.6 points per contest. He’s been too tentative in big spots, and his driving hasn’t had nearly the same impact.

That I have a huge problem with and more so the mindset. And if possible, based on Fedor’s piece regarding potential targets, if Cleveland could maybe make a swing for New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram, who is a polished three-level scorer, I’d understand that much, much more so.

Last offseason, I understood possible interest if the opportunity were to present itself much more, but a trade for Simmons now? Hard pass, especially because I would think a potential Cavs offer would have to include this year’s first-round pick and not next year’s, for example.