Assuming Dame and Scoot can coexist long term (and the jury is definitely out on this), a somewhat under discussed aspect is their strong personalities. Both seem immensely positive leaders who will set a great tone in any locker room. Our struggles in attracting top end talent are well known. But some guys just need a change of scenery. They say you're the average of the 5 people you're around most. I'm not interested in recreating the Jail Blazers, but I'm reminded of how Zach Randolph's career ended, and redemption can happen in the right environment. Portland needs to lean into this going forward. We should have a much lower bar for guys like Ayton and Zion and Dilllon Brooks than most teams.
You're thinking Ron Artest to Indy, huh? Well, the closest in batshittery is probably Dillon Brooks, but sadly he's a shadow of Metta World Peace in talent. Ayton is probably the opposite of a Ron Artest in that he needs a fire lit under him rather than calming down. But I did just read that the Suns are trying to convince Philly to give them Tobias Harris while a third team takes Ayton and gives the Sixers some other assets. I'm pretty sure we're not that third team, but let's start a rumor that we are
I would love to see Simmons come in, low pressure, and the opportunity to get back to doing what he did before.
He fills a huge need (defense and an additional secondary facilitator) but his shooting is abysmal. If he could just get back to where he was just a couple years ago when he was an integral part of the 76'ers being the #1 seed. They haven't been as good since. There are only 2 years left on his contract and maybe he ramps it up knowing he wants one more big deal....who knows. Still, a big risk.
Doesn't mean he's ever going to be good again. Which he won't ever be good again. I'll take the mystery out of that.
He will never be good again. He barely was good before. Over hyped. It was clear to see how bad he was and I was right lol
IF A: that keeps Dame content and B: it was Ben Simmons of old and C: he would agree to play SF, they could do much worse. I do think Philly would need to include a pick or two, considering the 78 million of potential dead money.
That trade for Simmons would be us sending the TWO best players out. That is how far he has fallen. They would need to include at least one 1st rounder and a pick swap for me to even consider it.
"Barely good before"? 3x All-Star All-NBA (3rd team....like Dame was this year) 2x 1st team All Defense 7th on the active list for triple-doubles (in 5 seasons) Career .560 FG% shooter Career assist average of 7.5....that is higher than many PG's including ours Career rebounds of 7.8....almost double Jerami Grant Careeer Defensive Rtg of 106 I get that he can't/won't shoot, but if he could, with that defense and those assists, he'd be a top 3-5 player in the league. Philly has never been close to as good without him as they were with him. Yes, something snapped and it seems much more mental than physical, even with some back issues. But to say he was "barely was good before", regardless of what one might think of him now, seems a bit of a reach.
Am I crazy for thinking Ant has way more value than Ben? I want assets to take on that contract if we're dealing Ant. If it's Nurk + Nas + Keon+ Knox, I'd do it for Ben without compensation coming back.
Thanks for proving my point. Wasn't good. Never was. I always knew he was gonna be bad. Would be an awful player for any team.
