Detroit Pistons: Pros and cons of trading for Ben Simmons

Detroit Pistons: Ben Simmons fit in Detroit- Part 2

Pro: Did I mention how amazing a Ben Simmons/Cade Cunningham backcourt would be defensively? This would easily be the best defensive backcourt in the league and it would be fun to watch.

The Pistons would have one of the best defenses in the NBA right away.

You know Simmons needs at least two scorers around him to be effective and that they need to be able to shoot from range. The Pistons already have one of those guys in Cunningham, so it would make their team-building goals clear: Get scoring.

If the Pistons could be elite on one side of the ball first, the offense will come, as it is easier to find shooters than guys who can defend like Simmons.

This is Detroit Basketball, build the defense first and the rest will fall into place.

Con: In a league that is dominated by shooting, can you really build your team around a guy who can’t do it? Philly has spent the last few seasons trying to find the most effective ways to use Simmons and has come up short, so why would the Pistons be able to figure it out?

Paying a huge chunk of your salary cap to a guy who can’t do the most important thing in basketball is probably not the smartest way to allocate your funds, even if the defense was elite.

Of course, teams like the New Orleans Pelicans have had top-5 offenses the last few seasons and didn’t even sniff the playoffs, so having an elite offense might be overrated.

I say the defensive potential is at least enough to get me interested, especially if the Detroit Pistons could somehow get Simmons without giving up Grant, which I think is pretty unlikely.

Verdict: I’m intrigued

I don’t think it’s a clear cut yes or no on whether the Pistons should pursue Ben Simmons, but I think the potential is there, as is the fit defensively. If the Detroit Pistons could put the right team around them, a Simmons/Cunningham backcourt could be championship caliber, but if not, they are a second-round playoff exit.

Is that such a bad thing? If I were Troy Weaver, I’d be sniffing around to see if Philly’s price drops into a range I am comfortable with and then I’d be ready to pounce with an offer.