Cavs: Trade or Fade with Simmons and others being shopped

Cavs: Trade or Fade with NBA players being shopped – Ben Simmons

To say there are rumors about Ben Simmons being available is to say that the ocean is a little wet. Both the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons’ representation have been making it known that the three-time All-Star is very available, for the right price. Simmons’ camp has now declared to the world their intention never to play for the Sixers again.

So far that price has been exorbitant, with the 76ers asking each team to send established players, young talent and future draft picks. They clearly value Simmons as a star (at least in negotiations) and are trading him because of fit issues, not because Simmons is anything less than a two-way star player.

They might be right, as Simmons is one of the league’s best and most versatile defenders, and he’s a gifted passer as well. The problem for Simmons is, of course, his complete lack of shooting ability. He’s not guarded off-ball, and when he does have the ball he is susceptible to intentional fouling to put him on the line.

If the asking price doesn’t come down the Cavs should stay far away. Yet if it does come down, especially if Simmons doesn’t show up to Training Camp and puts pressure on the team to make a move quickly, the Cavs should engage in those conversations.

For all of the team-building weaknesses that Simmons brings, he would immediately be a catalyst for turning around the Cavs’ defensive woes. He and Evan Mobley would be a tantalizing frontcourt pairing, and Darius Garland’s shooting ability can allow him to pair with Simmons. Lauri Markkanen would likewise be a great player to be in a rotation with Simmons.

The Cavs aren’t getting a player of Simmons’ caliber anywhere else, and if the price is palatable they should bring him in and figure out how to build out the roster around him from there.

Verdict: Trade