2026-27 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

You gotta be kidding me Ben f***** Simmons. You'll be telling me how we're going to win a championship with Ben Simmons as a starter next.

 

I've been calling for this low risk move since I heard he was healthy.

 

Ben Simmons is a far better bet than Knecht or Hardy for the 15th roster spot. I believe that the 15th man on a team should be some kind of asymmetrical bet - small risk but the potential for a high reward. This is usually in the form of a young player that was undrafted or a 2nd rounder.

But I would argue that a previous elite player that needs another chance could be a good option. Take our team as an example:

Luka / Sexton / Bronny
Reaves / Carr / Thybulle
Grimes / Ziaire / Vando
Jake / Adou
Kessler / Mamu / Looney

Our guards are sorted with Reaves, Sexton, Grimes, Carr, Bronny & Thybulle. Our wing sized players are Luka, Ziaire, Jake, Adou & Vando. For the bigs we have Kessler, Mamu & Looney. We could use another 4 that can guard either the 3 or 4 and a 5 to cover the team in case Kessler is injured. Simmons (if healthy, which is a big if) is a very good defender, rebounder and defensive playmaker - if no longer elite.

Maybe not worth the chance, but still better than Knecht & Hardy.

 

You have an uncanny ability to read between the lines, my good sir.

 

feelings about simmons aside (i think he's cooked), i don't want to cut or pay to get off two guys and lose the potential salary slot for any minimum at this point. even for kuminga, i don't love the general strategy. i'd rather hold on to the 10m in expiring money in case something materializes later for a better player (like maybe we stop being afraid of pj washington's contract).

i wouldn't bet on simmons beating out williams or laravia for minutes if we signed him anyway.

 

But… imagine if he does.

What if I was to tell you, you could either get PJ Washington at the deadline or trade it all in for what’s inside this mystery box?