Ben Simmons is a terrible offensive player. It’s incredibly simple to focus on him and what he wants to do because he stops shooting.
At this stage of his career, using him as a lob threat and a dunker is probably the best use for him. Despite not being a point guard, he is still a fantastic passer.
He can still play excellent defense and rebound. He would be the ideal addition to so many teams if he could shoot jumpers with any consistency.However, he is a point forward who is 27 years old, has poor shooting form, and makes almost $40 million a year.
Though he’s not someone you want to sink a lot of cash or resources into, he still has value if we ignore the fact that he can’t make three-pointers and isn’t nearly the player that was touted coming out of the draft.
Simmons is a skilled passer who has the ability to completely overhaul a defense.
Playing beside Kris Dunn, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and whoever the fifth starter is, he would be ideal in Utah.
The fact that you’re not giving up anything to obtain Simmons is the only issue. Not for the next 1.5 seasons at his current price point of almost $40 million.
According to reports, if bought out by the Nets, which is likely at some point in the future, the Jazz would be wise to bring him in on a minimum deal to help solidify the defense.
In spite of the fact that Simmons is terrible at shooting the ball, that is the only thing he is also terrible at.
As a member of the Jazz, he is not required to shoot. Although Utah already possesses a sufficient amount of offense, what they are lacking is an aggressive defender who is both large and quick, which Simmons possesses.
It might appear to be a crazy idea, but if you take a step back, consider Simmons to be a small forward rather than a point guard, and get rid of the idea that he will become the kind of player that many people believed he would be if he were selected first overall in the draft, everything will make sense.
If this were the case, you would be able to appreciate the potential benefits that a role-playing edition of Simmons could bring to Utah in the near and distant future.