NBA Trades: 5 rumored Los Angeles Lakers trade targets
By Dalton Sell
NBA Trades: Lakers rumored trade target breakdown – Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons is the target that has had people talking the most. The disgruntled All-Star has not played a game for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, as they continue exploring avenues to trade him, and Pincus notes that the Lakers have toyed with the idea of pursuing him.
Unlike any of the other players mentioned on this list, Simmons is not exactly easy to imagine in a purple and gold jersey due to his questionable fit on this roster. Sure, he would help improve their defense, but one of the biggest gripes with Simmons is that he does not shoot jump shots and is unable to space the floor.
The Lakers have had their problems with Westbrook this season due to his inability to shoot the basketball, which has created spacing issues. Simmons would not help these issues whatsoever. In fact, he would arguably make them worse.
In addition to his on-court fit, the question remains how the Lakers would even possibly go about trading for Simmons. The guard is currently in the second year of a five-year contract extension worth $177 million, and the only logical pathway to add that to the payroll would be trading their current point guard in Westbrook to the 76ers.
While the Lakers would surely like to move him, the 76ers would hang up the phone the second his name was mentioned. Philadelphia has held firm in their belief that they can net a superstar haul in return for Simmons, and someone like Westbrook does not fit that billwhatsoever.
Do not expect any talks regarding Simmons and the Lakers to materialize into something genuine over the next few weeks.