Dubs in-depth: With Morey joining the 76ers, should Warriors target Simmons or Embiid?
One NBA analyst thinks Simmons would be the ‘perfect fit’ next to Curry and Thompson.
The NBA’s silly season is upon us! Prepare to read about and hear a ton of rumors leading up to the 2020 NBA Draft on Nov. 18. The Golden State Warriors will be at the forefront of the rumor mill. The Dubs hold the No. 2 selection and have the $17.2 million exception from the Andre Iguodala deal.
One team that might be looking to make some big changes to its roster is the Philadelphia 76ers. Former Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is now in charge of the Sixers and he could be looking to reshape a roster that has failed to meet expectations over the past two seasons.
Golden State is looking to add some quality pieces around its championship core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Philadelphia has two stars on its roster with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. NBC Sports’ NBA Insider Tom Haberstroh weighed in on which of the two will be a better fit in the Bay Area:
“To me it is Ben Simmons.
“I think he is the perfect fit next to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and people might say ‘Hey, he kind of fills the same role as Draymond Green, why would you go for a guy that kind of duplicates what he does?’ Well, Ben Simmons is much younger than Draymond Green. I think if you’re going to try to acquire someone with the No. 2 pick, and package it with next year’s pick they received from the Minnesota Timberwolves, I think you have to shoot for a player that is going to be someone that kind of transitions to that next phase of this Warriors team, after Stephen Curry, after Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.”
Simmons has all the talent in the world to become a perennial All-Star. He’s a 6’10 point guard who can create on offense, while being able to guard any position on the defensive end. The obvious knock on Simmons is his lack of 3-point shooting. He made the first of his career from beyond-the-arc last season, when he connected on just two-of-seven attempts from deep. That isn’t ideal in the Warriors’ offense.
Haberstroh thinks he can improve his shooting under the tutelage of head coach Steve Kerr.
“I think in that scenario,” Haberstroh added, “if Ben Simmons came to the Warriors, I do think that Steve Kerr and the organization could convince him to start shooting 3 pointers, and expand that game that he was not willing to do under Brett Brown.”
If Morey elects to move on his top-two players, Embiid could be another possibility. The big man’s fit alongside Simmons is clunky. Simmons requires space — especially attacking the paint — which is where Embiid makes his living.
Again, it’s silly season in the NBA, but if the 76ers are looking to overhaul their squad, a trade with the Dubs makes sense.
On to some links:
The drama surrounding the pick No. 2 pick won’t end until draft night, but s former NBA player is sold on which prospect the Dubs should take. Richard Jefferson says this big man is the perfect fit for Golden State.
Another top-prospect is scheduled to meet with the Warriors next week. Point guard LaMelo Ball will sit down with Golden State’s brass in the coming days. (ESPN)
One NBA Draft insider weighs in with who he thinks the Warriors should select with the second pick. Chad Ford says Tyrese Haliburton is right choice for the Dubs.