Why are Detroit Pistons linked to Ben Simmons?

The Detroit Pistons have lots of point guards and no real movable contracts. So why are they constantly mentioned as a team inquiring about 76ers guard Ben Simmons?

There is no drama in Pistons training camp. A few battles at positions for playing time, but nothing out of the ordinary. Now, in the City of Brotherly Love, there is lots of extraordinary drama.

With four years left on his contract, the three-time All-Star point guard wants out of Philly because … mainly fans will be mean to him after the way turtled up on offense against the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs?

Most people’s reaction to this around the NBA: Mr. Softee.

But this is the 76ers problem, not Detroit’s. However, the Pistons are being listed as one of the teams interested in acquiring Simmons.

There are two main problems with the Detroit Pistons being able to swing a Simmons trade:

1. They have no cap space.

According to Spotrac, the Pistons are about $13 million over the salary cap this season. They have $45 million dollars in dead money (money being paid to players no longer on the team) so they do not have much flexibility.

Because of their lack of space, the Pistons had to trade center Mason Plumlee to clear enough salary to sign Kelly Olynyk, which was their only major move in free agency.

Things open up greatly cap-wise the following year, when Blake Griffin’s contract runs out. But because general manager Troy Weaver has had to be a bit stingy with contracts, it leads to the second reason there would be a problem landing Simmons.

2. Jerami Grant would have to be included in any trade

Simmons is scheduled to make $33 million this season (although Philly is not paying it at the moment)

On Detroit, only three players make over $5.5 million: Cade Cunningham ($10 million), Olynyk ($12 million) and Jerami Grant ($20 million).

We know Cunningham is not going anywhere, so there really is no plausible way for Detroit to match Simmons’ salary, without including Grant.

Here is a proposed trade from the 76ers site Liberty Ballers:

Detroit would probably not have a problem giving up Joseph, if Simmons is there. There would be no path for playing time for Joseph anyhow.

Olynyk might be more problematic. The Pistons are very thin in the middle as it is. Losing Olynyk and Grant, would leave just second-year player Isaiah Stewart and rookie Luka Garza who can play center.

The first rounder would be an acceptable trade sweetener. If Weaver’s planned ‘restoration’ goes on schedule, that pick should not be very high.

But losing Grant would be the sticking point. People have had fun projecting Jerami Grant trades all summer, but, the bottom line is, Detroit has never shown any inclination to trade Grant.

The guy averaged 22 points a game last season, is an excellent defender, won an Olympic gold medal in July and is on an extremely reasonable contract. Why on Earth would the Pistons want to get rid of him?

Simmons had been an All-Star while Grant has not but, Grant also does not have Simmons’ baggage.

How would SImmons deal with fellow No. 1 overall draft pick Cade Cunningham in the same backcourt? And Detroit will not be a title contender this year, which Simmons is used to playing on. How will he react to a team that might go 35-47, and that be considered a good year.

Also, if you have Simmons, Killian Hayes becomes a benchwarmer. They are both the same type of player, defensive-oriented, fine passer but not a great shooter. Hayes, who they drafted seventh overall a year ago, becomes irrelevant.

Any Simmons deal probably would involve a third-party, like Weaver’s old team, Oklahoma CIty. The Thunder have the cap room to absorb Simmons’ salary. Throw them a nice little draft pick (the Thunder love those) and swing a deal.

Where there is smoke … sometimes there is just more smoke. But reliable sources have included the Pistons in the mix for Simmons.

Maybe Weaver is giving the 76ers a low-ball offer, hoping they finally give up and want to get rid of him. But Simmons’ salary does not change. If it did happen, it would be interesting how the Pistons jumped over that big hurdle.