NFL
By: Randall Gimm
Recent reports, from multiple sources, claim the Timberwolves are interested in trading for Philadelphia 76ers Point-Forward, Ben Simmons. Gersson Rosas and Elton Brand of the 76ers met in Chicago this week. During that meeting, a Ben Simmons trade was discussed. Before they can make that move, the Wolves have little Cap room available and will be looking to clear some space. Ricky Rubio is in the last year of his deal and is owed around 18 million.
Ben Simmons gets paid roughly 23 million a year and the wolves will have to match that price to avoid the luxury tax. Sending Rubio and Malik Beasley for Simmons could get the job done but, I doubt Darryl Morrey would fold that easily. Beyond Rubio and Beasley, as far as trade pieces, the wolves don’t have many options.
We don’t have a pick in this year’s draft but we will be getting Leandro Balmaro from Argentina (whom we drafted last year). They are calling him, “The next Manu Ginobili ” and we will not be parting with him. This kid has the ability and talent to be a special player in the NBA.
Juancho Hernangomez has suffered an injury while playing for Spain’s national team with Ricky Rubio as far as other trade pieces. He also had a below-average season making his value even lower. I see players like Jaden McDaniels, Josh Okogie and Jared Vanderbilt as fantastic defensive players and those are hard to come by. Making them untradable. Especially with McDaniels being the 28th pick in last year’s draft and being able to showcase his length defensively and his ability to be a supplemental scorer around our star Wolves.
Naz Ried is also a perfect role player for the Wolves. He can attack the rim and shoot the ball similarly to Karl Anthony Towns so our system of play can remain consistent. Jaylen Nowell has also shown promise but his minutes although most of his minutes were taken by Rubio. Nowell didn’t get much clock until the latter part of the season. All of these guys are good role players and are a part of the culture we are building so keeping them is essential.
With the Wolves’ limited options; they may look to make this a three-team deal. With whom? Maybe the Chicago Bulls who have proven to be active, trying to build around the one that got away, Zach Lavine. Fans miss Lavine on the Wolves but everything happens for a reason and I believe the feeling is mutual between Lavine and the Wolves.
Back to Ben Simmons. Simmons could be hidden offensively with Anthony Edwards, Towns, and D’Angelo Russell carrying the scoring load. Then Simmons can guard the best player on opposing teams regardless of position. With KAT becoming an improved passer, Simmons could be a slashing threat similar to how Aaron Gordon has fit into Denver around Nikola Jokic. The difference there is Gordon doesn’t mind shooting the 3 and does it well enough. KAT and Simmons have a decent relationship besides that time he put him in an unnecessary headlock after a KAT/Joel Embiid scuffle. 
Last season, the Wolves took the 7th most threes in the NBA and ranked 25th in percentage made. The same goes for free throws. 7th most FTs taken and 22nd in percentage made. Ben Simmons doesn’t help either of those categories. But, if he can facilitate Head Coach Chris Finch’s offense and get the looks we want, I can see those numbers improving despite his shooting woes. The star players that dominate the ball should be good at setting the table for the role guys. Ben Simmons does that very well in transition and the half-court. With the Wolves’ shooting, they have yet to fully unlock, I think Ben Simmons would be a great asset in that department.
If Simmons were to get traded to Minnesota, ideally the new situation would alleviate some pressure from him. But, I’m not sure if I believe that to be true. Simmons had Brett Brown as a coach, who the Sixers hired for his existing relationship with Ben and the Simmons family. You would think that situation would be ideal for Simmons but obviously, it was not effective. One could not find a perfect scenario for Simmons to be in because of how peculiar his unwillingness to shoot is. But since the beginning, it has been, “In Rosas we trust.” Rosas’ confidence in his vision is unmatched, and his ability to “play the game” is what builds great teams.
I have watched the video of Ben Simmons playing in summer workout runs with other pros and it behooves me that he is not willing to play as he did in this display of offensive confidence.
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In the video, you see him pulling up for open threes, post fades, mid-range jumpers off screens, and showcasing his bread and butter, getting to the basket and finding the open man in transition. That is the player we are looking for (Not to mention the defense!). What mindset does Ben need to be in to become that player? Of all the teams in the NBA, the Wolves are a franchise that is in a small market and is not a contender. He won’t have the pressure to make us a contender, he will just have the pressure to fit in. I think Simmons will be able to lock himself in a gym during these Minnesota winters and find himself while meditating in the Boundary Waters.
All jokes aside, I am not certain this is the move we want but doubt, mixed with uncertainty and pressure is how some great success stories start. Let’s hope this pressure on Ben Simmons makes diamonds.
