Ben Simmons?

[Smartacus]

Since we?re looking at a soft reset, there really aren?t many players that you could add right now that could scale up to the final rotation once Tatum returns.

Lillard would have been able to but looking at the rest of the landscape, Ben Simmons is probably the only guy in his price range that could make a noticeable impact. The league has done a good job of catching up with Tatum and Brown, so adding another athletic force to the rotation is not only attractive, it?s necessary.

[hwangjini_1]

 i can't believe it's a real possibility that i might find myself rooting for ben simmons and against marcus smart. never, ever did i ever imagine this as even a remote possibility.

my head hurts.

[celticsclay]

What have people heard over the past few years about Simmons as a teammate?  Or about Simmons and his dedication to the game or work ethic?  Or his mental health/ emotional well-being?

I think one dynamic that could change things psychologically for Simmons is that for the first time in a long time he won?t be making far more money than he?s worth.  Who knows how that might impact him, but maybe takes some pressure of expectations off the table.

I?d be curious to see him surrounded by players who seem to have solid work ethic - in particular DW, JB, PP, JT.   He may have had good work culture in his other stops - idk.

I?m not even sure he is that bad of a teammate or even if it is a question with his work ethic, though I do question that a bit. I am much more concerned about his back. I believe he has had at least 2 back surgeries and I don?t think he will ever be the same. Plus I believe he has had some knee problems as well. I don?t think his body can hold up for large minutes anymore and he needed to take lots of maintenance days off last year for his back.

In addition to Embid's frustration, there were also reports his Nets coaches and players were frustrated with him and his passion "According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation, the frustration surrounding Simmons had been building in recent weeks within the organization. The coaching staff and players have been concerned about his availability and level of play, with some questioning his passion for the game, those sources said. But even when he did play, Simmons? struggles in his first nine games this season were part of the Nets frustration as well."

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-nets-are-reportedly-already-frustrated-with-ben-simmons-161706149.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAEixi78tgsHihS-IWki7yiEFHcjqhbX5UaVQi40gSYc2vFqEmBM27SU2dABpPOG_GYeXekL0JEraNkzhJRIDxKeCJXB7Sn4vUJTWksSQQXxmK14DJYUgSYEnaiMvG5JZKqjOO2t59ZuzxjKrm1h8lBo9FPyEYHCKONQLGP2OZ_W6

I am totally fine giving him a minimum. I certainly believe he has been humbled, and I did not see any complaints from when he was on the Clippers. I think the expectation of coaches and teammates is a lot different from a  max contract guy compared to a minimum salary guy. Plus if he does act up or annoy anyone they can cut him.

[NextCeltic34]

There doesn't look like much to look forward to this season so why not take a flier on him

Perfect world he's a great fit as a 4/5 around 4 shooters and we get him on a 2 year deal

Don't need him to score but if he can deff get 10 asts 10 rebounds which is something none of the other bigs on our roster can provide

[Neurotic Guy]

There doesn't look like much to look forward to this season so why not take a flier on him

Perfect world he's a great fit as a 4/5 around 4 shooters and we get him on a 2 year deal

Don't need him to score but if he can deff get 10 asts 10 rebounds which is something none of the other bigs on our roster can provide

He can score inside. At least he used to.

[GreenEnvy]

Since we are trying to lose games anyway I?d sign him and play him exclusively as a small ball big, not a PG.

He?d be a decent rebounding/elite passing big. Maybe some easy looks around the basket will regain confidence to be more assertive on offense.

Work on defense around the basket and he?d still be a good defender on the perimeter.

[Big333223]

Since we are trying to lose games anyway I?d sign him and play him exclusively as a small ball big, not a PG.

He?d be a decent rebounding/elite passing big. Maybe some easy looks around the basket will regain confidence to be more assertive on offense.

Work on defense around the basket and he?d still be a good defender on the perimeter.

I don't think there has been any indication that the team wants to lose games and I would be totally shocked if that was the approach.

[Goldstar88]

Since we are trying to lose games anyway I?d sign him and play him exclusively as a small ball big, not a PG.

He?d be a decent rebounding/elite passing big. Maybe some easy looks around the basket will regain confidence to be more assertive on offense.

Work on defense around the basket and he?d still be a good defender on the perimeter.

Simmons is 6?10/240lbs with a 7 foot wingspan. How is that a small big?

[Neurotic Guy]

Since we are trying to lose games anyway I?d sign him and play him exclusively as a small ball big, not a PG.

He?d be a decent rebounding/elite passing big. Maybe some easy looks around the basket will regain confidence to be more assertive on offense.

Work on defense around the basket and he?d still be a good defender on the perimeter.

Simmons is 6?10/240lbs with a 7 foot wingspan. How is that a small big?

Average height and weight of an NBA center is 6?10? and 247.  Simmons should focus the rest of his career on being a defensive center with passing skills and competence around the basket.

One thing you have to say for Simmons is that after making over 200M and clearly looking at a relative pittance as a vet minimum, he still wants to play.  He certainly can?t need the money.