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Ben Simmons is reportedly on the trade block this summer, and the Philadelphia 76ers are sure to get a hefty return for the point guard. Simmons struggled for form during the 2021 NBA Playoffs, but still remains a gifted passer and one of the best defenders in the league.
3 Teams that should actively avoid trading for Ben Simmons in the 2021 NBA offseason
The last few seasons have proved that Ben Simmons needs a roster that is optimized for his game to get the best out of him. He is a brilliant basketball player who can win games on his own, but is likely to struggle if an ideal ecosystem is not built around him.
On that note, let's take a look at the three teams that are the worst fit for Ben Simmons.
#3 Indiana Pacers
Recent trade reports indicate that the Indiana Pacers have registered interest in trading for Ben Simmons. The Pacers had a bid rejected by the 76ers, which could have seen them send Malcolm Brogdon and a pick in exchange for the Australian international.
However, it can be said that the Pacers dodged a bullet, and they should put an end to the pursuit of Ben Simmons. The Pacers already have multiple players who like to operate in the paint, most notably the front court partnership of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner.
Adding Simmons to the mix will lead to the Pacers clogging the paint, which will result in a lack of spacing, something that head coach Rick Carlisle would certainly like to avoid.
The Pacers also have enough options for initiating the offense, with the likes of Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon and even Caris LeVert more than capable of generating shots for themselves and their teammates. Ben Simmons is a brilliant player on both ends of the floor, but he will not be a great fit with the Indiana Pacers.
#2 Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets already have a ball-dominant guard with an iffy shot in LaMelo Ball, and they wouldn't want to add one more in the form of Ben Simmons. The Hornets front office has done some great work in the last few offseasons to help the franchise come close to a playoff berth and a potential move for Ben Simmons might bring them back to square one.
LaMelo Ball is the player the Hornets have been trying to build around. Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier and Devonte' Graham are players who can play off-the-ball and let Ball have his way with the basketball. Hence adding Ben Simmons to the roster would be counter-productive.
The Charlotte Hornets will be better off targeting a veteran player who can lead the offense in the closing minutes of a playoff game, as they don't have a star in that mold.
#1 San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs were one of the first names to float around when NBA trade rumors suggested that Ben Simmons could be available this summer. Head coach Gregg Popovich is reportedly an admirer of Simmons' game, and DeMar DeRozan's potential departure in the offseason will leave the Spurs a playmaker short.
However, Ben Simmons will be a poor fit on the San Antonio Spurs roster. The Spurs don't have a lot of shooters and that is an area the franchise front office should look to work on. Simmons needs a team that can field 3-4 shooters around him, while he acts as the team's primary playmaker with a license to drive in the paint.
On top of that, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White's emergence in the last few years means that the Spurs should concentrate on getting a score-first player. DeRozan has been the primary scorer in all the seasons that he spent with Popovich's team, and his potential departure would see the franchise lose a big-time bucket-getter.
Guess the Lakers players!
