Shams: Celtics Interested In Simmons

[LilRip]

If he’s willing to play here, then Im willing to ship out Smart and Richardson at the trade deadline plus filler, picks and swaps too.

Simmons-Brown-Tatum will be one of the top (if not the top) trio in the NBA. Add in Horford and Schroder and I’d take that team over the Nets, Bucks or Heat too.

I don’t even care if Simmons has already plateaued, or doesn’t add anything new to his game. I’d take his current skill set. Even if he is JUST an all-star AND an all-defensive player

[trickybilly]

If he’s willing to play here, then Im willing to ship out Smart and Richardson at the trade deadline plus filler, picks and swaps too.

Simmons-Brown-Tatum will be one of the top (if not the top) trio in the NBA. Add in Horford and Schroder and I’d take that team over the Nets, Bucks or Heat too.

I don’t even care if Simmons has already plateaued, or doesn’t add anything new to his game. I’d take his current skill set. Even if he is JUST an all-star AND an all-defensive player

Actually if you think about it, you just lose a (little) shooting in Marcus, defense is (maybe) a push, and get a massive upgrade in playmaking.

[Moranis]

If he’s willing to play here, then Im willing to ship out Smart and Richardson at the trade deadline plus filler, picks and swaps too.

Simmons-Brown-Tatum will be one of the top (if not the top) trio in the NBA. Add in Horford and Schroder and I’d take that team over the Nets, Bucks or Heat too.

I don’t even care if Simmons has already plateaued, or doesn’t add anything new to his game. I’d take his current skill set. Even if he is JUST an all-star AND an all-defensive player

Actually if you think about it, you just lose a (little) shooting in Marcus, defense is (maybe) a push, and get a massive upgrade in playmaking.

defense is no where near a push.  Simmons is a significantly better (and more versatile) defender than Smart.  Even at his peak, Smart wasn't as good as Simmons defensively and Smart is no longer at his peak.

[ManchesterCelticsFan]

Reading comments about Simmons with his attitude problem, his lack of desire to improve his shooting to become a great NBA player, his Klutch agency, etc. Seems like theres too many red flags to give up anything significant for him and especially not Jaylen and Jason.

[hpantazo]

If he’s willing to play here, then Im willing to ship out Smart and Richardson at the trade deadline plus filler, picks and swaps too.

Simmons-Brown-Tatum will be one of the top (if not the top) trio in the NBA. Add in Horford and Schroder and I’d take that team over the Nets, Bucks or Heat too.

I don’t even care if Simmons has already plateaued, or doesn’t add anything new to his game. I’d take his current skill set. Even if he is JUST an all-star AND an all-defensive player

Actually if you think about it, you just lose a (little) shooting in Marcus, defense is (maybe) a push, and get a massive upgrade in playmaking.

The idea of seeing Marcus Smart and Embiid together on the same team is almost worth it all on its own. That would be totally entertaining.

[ozgod]

According to Shams, the Celtics never seriously considered a deal for Simmons when Morey wanted Jaylen, but a number of media outlets made it out that there was a deal in the works when there wasn't. They were just kicking the tires to see if Morey wanted someone other than the Jays. He didn't, so the conversation never gained traction.

On Thursday morning, Brad Stevens told 98.5’s Toucher and Rich that he reached out to Brown to make sure his star wing wasn’t concerned about recent swirling rumors. The Celtics were never going to budge on a deal that moved Brown for Simmons for many reasons, not least of which being Brown’s production as a scorer (significantly higher than Simmons) and his cheaper contract (Brown is in the second year of a four-year, $106 million deal while Simmons is in the second year of a five-year, $177 million deal).

Still, Sixers GM Daryl Morey set a high — and perhaps prohibitive — price for Simmons, and the conversation between the two teams leaked. The NBA media game of telephone ensued: After Charania reported the Sixers demanded Brown, other outlets made it sound like the two teams were discussing a deal.

Per Charania, that wasn’t the case.

“Jaylen Brown and Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal, those are the types of players that Daryl Morey and Philadelphia have prioritized to go get a guy like Ben Simmons,” Charania said on the Pat McAfee show. “So yes, the Celtics did engage the Sixers on Ben Simmons and have conversations, but those conversations weren’t something the Celtics wanted to acquiesce to.

“When it comes to Jaylen Brown, they didn’t want to move Jaylen Brown for Ben Simmons. So unless Philadelphia gets more realistic, they are not going to get what they want.”

Charania noted that the Celtics were the team that engaged the Sixers regarding Simmons, but as soon as it became clear Morey wanted Brown in exchange, the Celtics pulled back.

“When it came to Philadelphia being hard-charged on getting Jaylen Brown in any scenario, yeah, I think it ended being like, ‘We’re not listening,'” Charania said. “Again, there’s really not a deal construct. Marcus Smart, guys like that, that’s not going to fulfill what Philadelphia is looking for and what they wanted.”

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2021/11/11/jaylen-brown-ben-simmons-trade-talks/?p1=hp_featurestack

[celticsclay]

If he’s willing to play here, then Im willing to ship out Smart and Richardson at the trade deadline plus filler, picks and swaps too.

Simmons-Brown-Tatum will be one of the top (if not the top) trio in the NBA. Add in Horford and Schroder and I’d take that team over the Nets, Bucks or Heat too.

I don’t even care if Simmons has already plateaued, or doesn’t add anything new to his game. I’d take his current skill set. Even if he is JUST an all-star AND an all-defensive player

Actually if you think about it, you just lose a (little) shooting in Marcus, defense is (maybe) a push, and get a massive upgrade in playmaking.

defense is no where near a push.  Simmons is a significantly better (and more versatile) defender than Smart.  Even at his peak, Smart wasn't as good as Simmons defensively and Smart is no longer at his peak.

But we are assuming a guy that, in his own words, isn’t “mentally ready to play” is going to be at his peak?

[ozgod]

If he’s willing to play here, then Im willing to ship out Smart and Richardson at the trade deadline plus filler, picks and swaps too.

Simmons-Brown-Tatum will be one of the top (if not the top) trio in the NBA. Add in Horford and Schroder and I’d take that team over the Nets, Bucks or Heat too.

I don’t even care if Simmons has already plateaued, or doesn’t add anything new to his game. I’d take his current skill set. Even if he is JUST an all-star AND an all-defensive player

Actually if you think about it, you just lose a (little) shooting in Marcus, defense is (maybe) a push, and get a massive upgrade in playmaking.

defense is no where near a push.  Simmons is a significantly better (and more versatile) defender than Smart.  Even at his peak, Smart wasn't as good as Simmons defensively and Smart is no longer at his peak.

But we are assuming a guy that, in his own words, isn’t “mentally ready to play” is going to be at his peak?

I have a feeling that he will suddenly be mentally ready to play next week if Morey traded him tomorrow. Maybe even sooner, if he was traded to the Fakers. 

[td450]

If he’s willing to play here, then Im willing to ship out Smart and Richardson at the trade deadline plus filler, picks and swaps too.

Simmons-Brown-Tatum will be one of the top (if not the top) trio in the NBA. Add in Horford and Schroder and I’d take that team over the Nets, Bucks or Heat too.

I don’t even care if Simmons has already plateaued, or doesn’t add anything new to his game. I’d take his current skill set. Even if he is JUST an all-star AND an all-defensive player

Actually if you think about it, you just lose a (little) shooting in Marcus, defense is (maybe) a push, and get a massive upgrade in playmaking.

defense is no where near a push.  Simmons is a significantly better (and more versatile) defender than Smart.  Even at his peak, Smart wasn't as good as Simmons defensively and Smart is no longer at his peak.

But we are assuming a guy that, in his own words, isn’t “mentally ready to play” is going to be at his peak?

One of the great things about not being able to shoot is you are never far from your peak.

[Moranis]

If he’s willing to play here, then Im willing to ship out Smart and Richardson at the trade deadline plus filler, picks and swaps too.

Simmons-Brown-Tatum will be one of the top (if not the top) trio in the NBA. Add in Horford and Schroder and I’d take that team over the Nets, Bucks or Heat too.

I don’t even care if Simmons has already plateaued, or doesn’t add anything new to his game. I’d take his current skill set. Even if he is JUST an all-star AND an all-defensive player

Actually if you think about it, you just lose a (little) shooting in Marcus, defense is (maybe) a push, and get a massive upgrade in playmaking.

defense is no where near a push.  Simmons is a significantly better (and more versatile) defender than Smart.  Even at his peak, Smart wasn't as good as Simmons defensively and Smart is no longer at his peak.

But we are assuming a guy that, in his own words, isn’t “mentally ready to play” is going to be at his peak?

Sure, because he isn't mentally ready to play because he is on the Sixers.  As soon as he isn't on the Sixers his mental well being will increase significantly.  I mean that is basically what Rich Paul said yesterday.  So maybe he won't go back all the way immediately, but reading between the lines, they are telling teams that if you trade for Simmons, he will be available to play.

https://theathletic.com/news/ben-simmons-feels-76ers-want-to-force-him-to-play-team-responds-exclusive/Z33rajI00nWY/

“I truly believe the fines, the targeting, the negative publicity shined on the issue — that’s very unnecessary and has furthered the mental health issues for Ben,” Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said. “Either you help Ben, or come out and say he’s lying. Which one is it?”

“In this case, we have to get Ben help and not put finances above mental health,” Paul said. “As an agent, I understand contractual obligations and I hold myself accountable in this business. But if someone is telling you something, we can no longer turn a blind eye in today’s world.

“This is no longer about a trade. This is about finding a place where we can help Ben get back to his mental strength and get back on the floor. I want him on the floor playing the game that he loves. I want Ben on the floor whether that’s in a 76ers uniform or any other uniform, that’s not up to me, but I want him in a state where he can resume play. We want to cooperate and want to work him back on the floor.”

“He’s not there yet. How can a doctor, who has only met with Ben once, say, ‘Ben is mentally ready to play?’ So do we keep digging on him, or help him?” Paul said. “Now that we understand that reluctance from Ben, it all makes sense. There was a shying away from it. If Ben has repeatedly showed behavior that entails he isn’t mentally ready to play, embrace him. Support him. We have to remove our ego from it. We all have to take responsibility.”

Paul says he still respects the team’s upper management amid the current dispute. "I don’t think the 76ers are a bad organization. Josh Harris and David Blitzer are great governors, they’ve done a great job with the organization. I have respect for Daryl Morey,” Paul said. “Ben has a mental issue, let’s support him. I’m happy he got to a place where he realized and accepted help. I understand it’s a business, but even in business, you need humanity.

“I have a great level of respect and love for the city of Philadelphia, as someone who loves the game, but this isn’t about that. This is about Ben getting back to a place mentally where he can be back on the floor — and only Ben can tell us when that is. We have to allow him to do that.”

[td450]

If he’s willing to play here, then Im willing to ship out Smart and Richardson at the trade deadline plus filler, picks and swaps too.

Simmons-Brown-Tatum will be one of the top (if not the top) trio in the NBA. Add in Horford and Schroder and I’d take that team over the Nets, Bucks or Heat too.

I don’t even care if Simmons has already plateaued, or doesn’t add anything new to his game. I’d take his current skill set. Even if he is JUST an all-star AND an all-defensive player

Actually if you think about it, you just lose a (little) shooting in Marcus, defense is (maybe) a push, and get a massive upgrade in playmaking.

defense is no where near a push.  Simmons is a significantly better (and more versatile) defender than Smart.  Even at his peak, Smart wasn't as good as Simmons defensively and Smart is no longer at his peak.

But we are assuming a guy that, in his own words, isn’t “mentally ready to play” is going to be at his peak?

Sure, because he isn't mentally ready to play because he is on the Sixers.  As soon as he isn't on the Sixers his mental well being will increase significantly.  I mean that is basically what Rich Paul said yesterday.  So maybe he won't go back all the way immediately, but reading between the lines, they are telling teams that if you trade for Simmons, he will be available to play.

https://theathletic.com/news/ben-simmons-feels-76ers-want-to-force-him-to-play-team-responds-exclusive/Z33rajI00nWY/

“I truly believe the fines, the targeting, the negative publicity shined on the issue — that’s very unnecessary and has furthered the mental health issues for Ben,” Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said. “Either you help Ben, or come out and say he’s lying. Which one is it?”

“In this case, we have to get Ben help and not put finances above mental health,” Paul said. “As an agent, I understand contractual obligations and I hold myself accountable in this business. But if someone is telling you something, we can no longer turn a blind eye in today’s world.

“This is no longer about a trade. This is about finding a place where we can help Ben get back to his mental strength and get back on the floor. I want him on the floor playing the game that he loves. I want Ben on the floor whether that’s in a 76ers uniform or any other uniform, that’s not up to me, but I want him in a state where he can resume play. We want to cooperate and want to work him back on the floor.”

“He’s not there yet. How can a doctor, who has only met with Ben once, say, ‘Ben is mentally ready to play?’ So do we keep digging on him, or help him?” Paul said. “Now that we understand that reluctance from Ben, it all makes sense. There was a shying away from it. If Ben has repeatedly showed behavior that entails he isn’t mentally ready to play, embrace him. Support him. We have to remove our ego from it. We all have to take responsibility.”

Paul says he still respects the team’s upper management amid the current dispute. "I don’t think the 76ers are a bad organization. Josh Harris and David Blitzer are great governors, they’ve done a great job with the organization. I have respect for Daryl Morey,” Paul said. “Ben has a mental issue, let’s support him. I’m happy he got to a place where he realized and accepted help. I understand it’s a business, but even in business, you need humanity.

“I have a great level of respect and love for the city of Philadelphia, as someone who loves the game, but this isn’t about that. This is about Ben getting back to a place mentally where he can be back on the floor — and only Ben can tell us when that is. We have to allow him to do that.”

Here's the hard part.

Either he has legitimate mental health issues, OR he's a liar who is using the sensitivity of mental health to leverage benefit of the doubt,  with an underlying purpose to defraud a team of millions of dollars. The sequence of events strongly implies the latter.

The idea that his mental health is only an issue with the 76ers because they weren't emotionally supportive enough is lunacy. The NBA is no place for someone that fragile.

If your last comment was correct, it may be very hard to prove in court, but he's a criminal.

[JohnBoy65]

That's exactly correct, and that's the hardest part of this whole thing. If Ben's mental health struggles are real, and I am going to believe him until he gives me reason not to, then he shouldn't be traded today and instantly ready to play tomorrow. Mental health issues aren't 'cured' like that. My fear with this scenario the whole time has been this is the only card he had left, and I hope for the sake of his character he's not using mental health as a scapegoat. That's a huge slap in the face to the millions of people around the globe that do suffer from mental health issues.

[Vermont Green]

With Simmons, I don't think it is either/or, black or white that mental health issues are the entire issue or not.  Simmons is a bit of a head case.  Missing FTs for example is mostly in his head.  But does that qualify as a mental health issue?  Probably not.

I suspect that Simmons would not meet the clinical threshold of having a psychological illness to the level that would prevent him from playing if he wanted to play.  But that does not mean he is 100% mentally fit either.  It is like a physical injury when they say someone is hurt but not injured.  It is not always 100% clear what the line is between injured, shouldn't play, vs. hurt, can play through it.  And this line changes whether it is the playoffs or just game 44 of the regular season and game 2 of a back to back.  I suspect that this applies to mental fitness also.

Even though I believe that Simmons could play if he wanted to, I do also believe that he is messed up or not 100% mentally fit or whatever colloquial term you want to use.  Any team that trades for him is going to have to do some work to get him ready to play both mentally and physically.  If the new team ignores the mental part, I doubt they get the most out of him.

[Moranis]

Or Philly is a toxic work environment for him and that is what he is struggling with and when he gets out of the toxic environment those issues and concerns are alleviated.  We see this all of the time with employees that are sexually harassed and can't function well in the environment they were in, whereas they get transferred or the harasser gets terminated and their outlook improves significantly (and I'm not comparing a person that was sexually harassed with Simmons just showing how your actual environment can significantly contribute to your mental well being).  So Simmons very well might have mental health issues associated with being with the Sixers that once he is no longer on the Sixers alleviate themselves. 

[Vermont Green]

Or Philly is a toxic work environment for him and that is what he is struggling with and when he gets out of the toxic environment those issues and concerns are alleviated.  We see this all of the time with employees that are sexually harassed and can't function well in the environment they were in, whereas they get transferred or the harasser gets terminated and their outlook improves significantly (and I'm not comparing a person that was sexually harassed with Simmons just showing how your actual environment can significantly contribute to your mental well being).  So Simmons very well might have mental health issues associated with being with the Sixers that once he is no longer on the Sixers alleviate themselves.

What have the Sixers done to make the environment "toxic" for Simmons and not toxic for any other players?  I agree with the that the environment can be an issue in a general sense but I am not sure I see it here.  I think the fundamental issue for Simmons is dealing with pressure.  Again, the FT example.  That kind of singular action by him is where he has the most trouble.