NBA Trades: The New York Knicks need to trade for Ben Simmons

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Julius Randle #30 and Kevin Knox II #20 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on January 18, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Julius Randle #30 and Kevin Knox II #20 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on January 18, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trades, Ben Simmons, Julius Randle
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers attempts a basket as Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden on January 18, 2020 in New York City, NBA Trades: The New York Knicks need to trade for Ben Simmons, NBA Trades. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

The New York Knicks need to trade for Ben Simmons – The fit

Julius Randle also has a game that could work alongside Simmons in a way that Joel Embiid’s never could. Despite Embiid being a humongous human, he likes to play a bit outside the paint. He likes to pass the ball off and take some three-pointers.

Randle likes some of this as well, but his offensive game is more naturally that of a forward, unlike Embiid, who likes to do a bit of everything. Taking some of the playmaking duties off Randle and allowing Simmons to be a distributing point guard would work well for both players.

The defensive chops of Simmons have never been in question, and he is among the best in the league on that end. Working with a head coach in Tom Thibodeau, who loves defensive schemes, would give the Knicks an identity on that end and could potentially reinvigorate Randle.

Making the playoffs would still require tinkering, but can you imagine how well the Knicks could have guarded Trae Young if it was Simmons guarding the Atlanta Hawks star in the playoffs last year?

The outcome might have remained the same, a Hawks series win, but the postseason is about having different weapons to combat different approaches. Simmons clearly would have helped.