The New York Knicks adding Ben Simmons is not the answer

The Holes in Finding A Good Ben Simmons Trade For the New York Knicks

There are a few factors to consider in a potential Knicks trade that would fetch them, Ben Simmons. When it comes to what assets the Knicks would be sending away, there seems to be no world where the Knicks would still have enough to surround Simmons that leads to a worthwhile improvement.

The Knicks this season have come across just about every issue a team can run into. While the strengths of Simmons’ game may imply that he can help fix some of these problems, he certainly can’t and wouldn’t alone solve them.

The team’s best player, Julius Randle, has had many shortcomings that would make him a poor pairing with Simmons. There is only one ball and both of these players are either mostly or exclusively at their best when being the offensive focal point. We all know Simmons can’t shoot a lick, and Randle is shooting just 32.6% from three making him an unreliable floor spacer for Simmons to pass to.

Is your solution to have Randle be in the package that gets Simmons to NY? If yes, then you’d be facing even bigger problems.

First of all, Randle is on a bargain of a contract for the caliber of player he’s shown he can be. Flipping Randle for an arguably worse all-star player whose getting paid substantially more puts you in a less flexible and attractive situation.

Secondly, the New York Knicks are a team that have struggled immensely on offense due to several players being unable to put the ball in the basket. The team’s issue isn’t getting quality looks, it is making any shot whatsoever. Yes, Simmons would probably do a better job of setting up his teammates than Randle or anyone else on the roster would, but good luck justifying trading the guy who scores 20+ points a game and generates a dozen more points with his passing for a player who averages less than half that many PPG and adds just a few more assists to the box score.

Did I mention the Knicks don’t make their shots? That includes their 3-pointers, by the way. The Knicks don’t make threes while Simmons is terrified to attempt them, sounds like a perfect match to me.

Lastly, aside from Randle, what are we expecting the Knicks to trade for Simmons. You better believe Daryl Morey and the 76ers will be charging a pretty penny even with Simmons’ drop in value. This is still an all-star we are talking about; Kevin Knox, Kemba Walker and the Charlotte 2022 first round pick aren’t gonna cut it. You’ll definitely be kissing one of RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley or Obi Toppin along with picks goodbye in order to sway Morey.

Am I supposed to believe it would be smart for a middling Knicks team to sacrifice assets for a player who is severely flawed, paid a ton of money, and who would command some of the front office’s most valuable pieces? Not a chance.

There are two types of teams who should be trading for Simmons: a team who is very stable and looking for a piece to put them over the top (think Utah or Golden State) or a team looking to tear down and give Simmons the keys.

The Knicks don’t fit either description.