I'd still take Jimmy B.
Yeah, his 53 was against PHI, but dude is STILL an All-Star, Leader, elite defender and scorer, at the NBA-LEVEL.......things that Ben Simmons "COULD" be.
So, say we get Simmons. Then what?
Adding him to this current team even "IF" he is as good as advertised will this get us past CHI or CLE?
Would we beat GSW or Spurs? Maybe in a regular season game, but any of these 4 teams in a series?
With Simmons? And the team as currently constructed?
Nope. Even "IF" Simmons is as good as advertised. And don't get me wrong I LOVE Simmons.
So, we'd be resigned to "growing" his talent with the rest of the team - for the next few years. Then what? Still no guarantee of Banner 18.
Get Jimmy B if he's available and try to snag Joakim, too. Joakim still has a lot to offer. I like his fire. He's still a good defender, leader, and passer.