It regarded like Ben Simmons’ days as an NBA participant had been numbered. After lacking the whole 2021-2022 season with a again damage following his commerce from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons returned to play solely 43 video games through the 2022-23 season and simply 15 video games through the 2023-24 marketing campaign final 12 months.
Simmons has gotten his profession again on monitor to some extent this season, beginning 24 video games for the Nets in his 33 whole appearances. Brooklyn waived Simmons someday after the 2025 NBA commerce deadline on Friday, and suitors are already lining up for his companies.
The Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Houston Rockets are reportedly concerned with signing Simmons after he was purchased out by Brooklyn. Simmons wants a smaller function lately as his physique has began to interrupt down after continual again accidents, however he’s been efficient sufficient in restricted minutes that playoff groups need him on board.
Simmons is averaging 6.2 factors, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per sport this season on 56.2 p.c true taking pictures. He’s nonetheless terrified to get fouled (he’s tried 26 whole free throws this 12 months) which limits his effectiveness, however he’s able to channeling his First-Staff All-Protection previous briefly spurts. It’s wild to suppose Simmons remains to be solely 28 years outdated.
Let’s rank the suitors for Simmons by the place he may truly have an effect on profitable within the playoffs.
3. Houston Rockets
The Rockets may not have a tried-and-true celebrity but (although Amen Thompson may be turning into one), however Houston does have one of many deepest rotations within the Western Convention. On the ahead spots alone, the Rockets can throw out Dillon Brooks, Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore, Jae’Sean Tate, or slide Thompson to the three.
Simmons’ defensive means makes him a superb match for an Ime Udoka roster. Houston’s protection is No. 4 within the NBA this 12 months with so many massive, bodily defenders who can hound the ball. That’s nonetheless Simmons’ sport at his finest, and Udoka is the kind of tremendous intense coach who would possibly be capable of get probably the most out of him.
I simply fear that Simmons gained’t truly be capable of break into the rotation right here. Udoka units such a excessive commonplace of excellence, and already has so many choices he can go to on the ahead spots. The Rockets are a foul taking pictures staff, rating No. 28 in each three-point price and three-point proportion. Simmons is a complete non-shooter who will solely make their spacing worse.
Signing Simmons can be good damage insurance coverage, and there are definitely playoff matchups the place he may come in useful, however I like Houston’s rotation as it’s.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers regarded like they had been about to be Western Convention doormats when Paul George left in free company for the Philadelphia 76ers and Kawhi Leonard was dominated out at begin the season with extra knee damage upkeep. LA was capable of transform its roster with athletic defenders after George left, and when Norm Powell had a career-year as a scorer at age-31, the Clippers had been proper again within the Western Convention playoff combine.
At 28-23 total after the commerce deadline, the Clippers are at the moment the No. 7 seed within the West. LA’s protection is already elite, rating No. 3 within the league, and including Simmons would double-down on their identification. He can be nice damage insurance coverage for when Leonard inevitably is dominated out of a play-in or playoff sport with an damage.
The Clippers have room for an additional defender after buying and selling Terance Mann to the Hawks for Bogdan Bogdanovic on the deadline. Ty Lue is an elite head coach who may get the most effective out of Simmons. I’m guessing Simmons wouldn’t thoughts residing in Los Angeles.
I’m just a bit fearful in regards to the Clippers’ spacing with Simmons. They’re solely No. 23 within the league in three-point price, and whereas including Bogdanovic and getting Leonard wholesome will assist, that is nonetheless a staff that may have a little bit of a taking pictures deficit with Simmons on the ground. The Clippers are a superb choice for Simmons, however they’re not fairly the most effective.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are the most effective story in basketball this 12 months. Head coach Kenny Atkinson was employed over the offseason, and instantly labored wonders getting this group out to a 15-0 begin. Cleveland is prone to be the No. 1 seed within the East heading into the playoffs barring a second-half collapse or a large surge from the Celtics.
Cleveland made a pleasant transfer to bolster its wing depth on the commerce deadline by buying De’Andre Hunter from the Hawks. The commerce makes it clear the Cavs suppose they’ll win the title this 12 months. Including Simmons can be helpful for situational playoff matchups even when he wouldn’t be anticipated to play an enormous function.
If we get the Cavs-Celtics Japanese Convention Finals everyone seems to be ready for, Simmons may come in useful guarding Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Cleveland couldn’t play him with each Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley on the ground, however he may match subsequent to Mobley when the younger massive slides to heart. The Cavs have the spacing to accommodate him: Cleveland is No. 5 within the league in three-point price, and No. 1 in three-point proportion by making 39.4 p.c of their triples.
The Cavs have the No. 1 offense within the league. They’re good-not-great on protection with the league’s No. 8 total unit. Simmons isn’t a game-changer at this stage of his profession, however he may assist the Cavs in a small function, and that’s price a buyout signing.
