From the moment it was clear Ben Simmons might get traded this offseason– indicating the minute he skipped a dunk in crunch time of a second-round championship game– one choice being drifted was a swap for DAngelo Russell of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Apparently, some in the Minnesota power structure “terribly” want that to occur, reports the connected Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minneapolis.
How terribly do the #Timberwolves desire to trade for Ben Simmons?
” Badly” pic.twitter.com/owYhhydPMQ
— SKOR North (@SKORNorth) June 27, 2021
” I texted with somebody that knows Ben Simmons incredibly well, that has working knowledge of all things NBA … My text was, How terribly do the Wolves wish to trade for Ben Simmons? This person sent me a text, it was one word: Badly.”.
Wolfson has long been seen as having sources with the outgoing Glen Taylor ownership group in Minnesota.
Considering that there is no chance Minnesota would send out Karl-Anthony Towns (Philly has an elite center already anyhow) or appealing young gamer Anthony Edwards, this trade would require to be Russell for Simmons. Those two can be traded straight up for one another economically, but Philly would want more back in such a trade, either draft payment or a player they like (Malik Beasley?).
For Minnesota, this trade makes sense. The only real concern becomes how Towns would feel about this trade, he desired Russell in Minnesota, however on paper this should be an upgrade for a Timberwolves team looking to get into the playoff mix in the West.
Is it an upgrade for Philly?
They lose an elite perimeter defender and replace him with a negative defender, and is Russell the level of pick-and-roll, half-court shot-creator they need? Is what Russell brings on offense enough to offset what is lost on the other end of the court? Is he significantly better than Tobias Harris as a shot developer?
Never say never, however this isnt a trade Daryl Morey would appear to be pressing to get done. Also, factor in that Simmons agent– Rich Paul of Klutch Sports– will have a heavy hand in whatever offer gets done, and is Minnesota where he desires his customer?
Its a rumor that is out there, something worth enjoying, but there will be a great deal of Simmons reports this offseason.
Have a look at more on the 76ers.
For Minnesota, this trade makes sense. The Timberwolves need boundary protective help and Simmons is an elite defender who can protect point guards through stretch fours. Simmons is flawed as a playmaker in the halfcourt however– if they can build his self-confidence back up– has value with the ball in his hands in transition and the Timberwolves played at the fifth-fastest pace in the NBA last season. The only real question becomes how Towns would feel about this trade, he desired Russell in Minnesota, however on paper this should be an upgrade for a Timberwolves group looking to get into the playoff mix in the West.
