5 teams that should trade for Ben Simmons: Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have one of the most exciting young cores in basketball. While there’s still a ways to go before Charlotte to competing in the East, there’s a lot of firepower on that roster — and a lot of fun players, which can never be underrated. The Hornets are a joy to watch.
Enter Ben Simmons, who would doubtlessly make Charlotte a better team. He would not only give them much-needed defense on the wing and in the backcourt, but also provide another dose of transition playmaking next to the already-brilliant LaMelo Ball.
In Ball and Simmons, the Hornets would have two supersized playmakers who can see over top of the defense and generate open looks for teammates. The Hornets would run-and-gun teams to death, while the presence of other guard talent — Terry Rozier, Devonte’ Graham, what have you — would ease the burden on Simmons late in games.
Charlotte should happily part with Gordon Hayward and another piece or two (maybe Miles Bridges, or P.J. Washington if the Sixers are lucking out) to bring in Simmons. He will have to improve no matter where he goes, and there is reason for skepticism, but Simmons has been a top-30 NBA player for two seasons now. He’s one of the best defenders on the planet, and a damn good playmaker who will probably never sink as low as the Hawks series again. Charlotte (read: LaMelo) is good enough to start taking the necessary steps to compete. This would be one of them.