The Ben Simmons to the Detroit Pistons rumors are still alive and seem to have split the fanbase down the middle, with some saying, “go for it!” while others say “no way.”
Raise your hand if you are sick to death of hearing about Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving? As someone who likes basketball and not drama, this offseason has been the longest in memory.
I get why the Ben Simmons to Detroit rumors are enticing: It’s been a long time since the Pistons had a big-name star and whatever you think of Simmons, he is that.
Yes, he has struggled shooting the ball at times, but he is still an under-25 All NBA player who is one of the best defenders in the league and the team that figures out how to use him effectively is probably going to get a steal if the 76ers do end up trading him.
I think there are pros and cons to trading for Simmons and I really do understand both sides of the divide, as I have found myself on either end of this argument.
The Detroit Pistons should trade for Ben Simmons!
The idea of trading for another big guard who can defend does have some appeal and Simmons would undoubtedly make the Detroit Pistons a better team.
This could be the Pistons’ chance to snag a star for 50 cents on the dollar, as the 76ers have no leverage and may end up having to take far less than their original astronomical asking price.
The Pistons are not a marquee free-agent destination, so trading for or drafting a star is the only way they are going to get one.
If Detroit could get him for some combination of Jerami Grant and Killian Hayes, then why not? Grant might not fit the timeline and Hayes may be redundant after the Pistons drafted Cade Cunningham.
And just think about the possibilities with a backcourt of Cunningham and Simmons. The Detroit Pistons could have the most versatile defensive team in the NBA and a solid foundation for building a playoff contender.
I get why some fans want to make this happen.
The Detroit Pistons can afford to wait on Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons is not the last star who will be made available. Every single season there are at least a few stars who are unhappy with their situation or entering the final year of a deal that could make them available via trade.
The Pistons will have a big advantage next offseason, as they will be one of the only teams with cap space, so they can make a big offer to someone else if they want, sit on the space or use it to facilitate a trade.
Patience is hard to preach to a fan base that has been beaten down over the last decade or more, but that’s what we need here. Why not just let the young players mesh for a full season, evaluate the weaknesses and use the cap space to address them?
Trading for Ben Simmons now would be a shot in the dark, as we don’t really know where this team is at with so many preseason injuries, nor how he would fit with the young core.
Also, there is a high probability that Simmons will still be available at the trade deadline or even next season, so there is no rush even if you think he is a logical target.
I get the appeal of Simmons, but I think the Detroit Pistons should probably wait, as trading for him would be starting a ticking clock and I don’t think the team is there yet. Don’t worry, there will be more unhappy stars and Simmons won’t be the last chance the Pistons have to land one.