In my recent article, “Why the Ben Simmons Saga Ends Soon,” I posited that Daryl Morey would be left without a job if Ben Simmons is still on the roster by the start of next season.
I’d like to take the time now to rephrase that statement. “Morey would be left without a job if a NON-PLAYING Ben Simmons is still on the roster by the start of next season”.
Let me reiterate why that adjustment to that statement is important. 94.1 WIP recently tweeted a scenario in which Ben Simmons stays and plays and Tobias Harris/others are the ones to go, in pursuit of Damian Lillard. Back in June as soon as Game 7 vs. the Hawks concluded, I predicted that Ben Simmons had played his last game in a Sixers uniform. To this day that statement has held true. But are we in for a turn of events?
In my mind, a Big 3 of Lillard, Simmons, and Embiid works. Before you call me a hypocrite as I and thousands of Philadelphians have been booing him of town for month, consider that Tobias Harris is part of the Sixers’ problems too.
I have always said Tobias is not a talented enough offensive scorer to be occupying one of the three max contract spots available to the Sixers. Ben Simmons’ lack of offense we know isn’t worth it either. But he’s an elite defense. An elite defender can be your third punch, but he can’t be your second punch. Tobias Harris is simply not a second punch and that’s the wall the Sixers have been running into.
Joel Embiid and Damian Lillard are both superstars. In that context, Simmons can focus on just defense and holding it down while Joel and Dame carry the load offensively. Will this happen? We shall see. But it’s an intresting thought.
Point is, Simmons will be playing or traded, VERY shortly.