The Ben Simmons saga just keeps getting more interesting. Early today, the Sixers’ star point guard was reported to be uninterested in playing for the team, to the extent that he ‘does not intend to report to training camp’, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. This news has a lot of implications for the West, especially considering an anonymous Western Conference exec’s statement that Simmons is targeting one of three top teams in California, those presumably being the Lakers, Clippers, and of course, the Warriors.

During free agency, there were a few reports going around that the team had ‘internally disagreed’ on what Simmons’ role with the Warriors would be should they trade for him, and that was eventually what stalled the team’s trade talks with the Sixers earlier this year. Simmons’ fit would, indeed, be a huge question mark in spite of how much the Warriors can space the floor by having Klay Thompson and Steph Curry alone. The biggest problem is obviously the jump shot, as Simmons has been lauded as a cerebral passer and excellent defender (even earning Defensive Player of the Year consideration at the end of last season), as well as having the size at the point guard position to be a great rebounder.

What Simmons brings to the floor is two-way playmaking, however, his shooting is a huge problem. And yes, it is that bad: In his four-year career, he’s shooting a hair short of 60% from the charity stripe, and his second-best statistical season came in 2021 – the same year he made 34% of his free shots in the NBA Playoffs. What Simmons would bring is essentially great perimeter defense and solid creation off the bounce, but his rim pressure is limited by the fact that teams don’t really care if they foul him. The creation is not something the Warriors are in particular need of, having capable playmakers in Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, and of course, Curry, who can create options by just moving around the floor without the ball. He’s a player who’s used to having the ball in his hands and he needs it to create shots for others at a star level, something the Warriors’ motion offense does not lend itself well to. Ultimately, it would be a mistake to give up young assets (likely some combination of Wiggins, Wiseman, Kuminga, and Moody plus picks) for a player who has shown no significant growth in spite of having the clear ability to make those leaps. Simmons would need to be slotted in the dunker spot as more of a lynchpin for the offense to move around, and he doesn’t seem to like playing out of the post in spite of his efficiency there.

But what about if the Clippers and Lakers make the trade? How does that affect the Warriors? It’s highly unlikely that either will, given recent acquisitions, trades, and the fact that these two are two of the deepest teams around. The Lakers on paper are an incredibly talented team that can run 12+ players deep in the rotation, and the Clippers prefer more of a small-ball style in crunch time that would require shooting which Ben Simmons does not have. It makes little sense for any of these teams to pull the trigger on Simmons’ availability unless Philly lowers the asking price from its currently ridiculous point.

There is, of course, a scenario in which a Simmons trade elevates the Warriors into title favorites: For his glaring flaws, there’s still a good basketball player somewhere in there, and he’s shown that it’s not a capability issue as he drills three after three in summer runs. The Warriors are often lauded as one of basketball’s best cultures from the last decade, transforming a bust in Andrew Wiggins into a solid starter who makes high-level contributions. It’s not unreasonable to believe that Kerr and company could unlock Simmons’ confidence, but as of now? It’s just not the gamble to take. At 25, Simmons still has a lot of career left, and his contract will have 3 more years at least on it until the season starts. If Bob Meyers and Joe Lacob really believe that Simmons can improve, then this is the right trade: It’s just a question of making sure the price is right.