The Philadelphia 76ers’ playoff loss and Ben Simmons’ shooting woes may have given the Los Angeles Lakers an out-of-the-box opportunity to trade for the 24-year old point guard and turn him into a small ball point center.
While it might be a long shot considering the competition and the Lakers’ need for shooting, the idea of Superstar Big Three front court of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Ben Simmons could transform the Lakers. Imagine the Lakers next season with a modern defense anchored by 6′ 9,” 250 lbs LeBron James at small forward, 6′ 10,” 253 Anthony Davis at power forward, and the 6′ 11,” 250 lbs Ben Simmons playing small ball center.
Unlike other former Lakers traditional low post centers like JaVale McGee, Dwight Howard, or Andre Drummond, opposing teams would not be able to play Ben Simmons off the floor due to his inability to defend the perimeter. Simmons has the potential to be the perfect prototye of a modern defensive small ball center, a player who can block shots and protect the rim and still switch, rotate, and guard smaller guards and wings outside the paint,
We’re seeing traditional, low post centers consistently getting played off the court when opposing teams go small because they lack the quickness and mobility to defend on the perimeter. It even just happened to Rudy Gobert. With three big, athletic, mobile, and versatile front court defenders capable of guarding all five positions on the court in James, Davis, and Simmons, the Lakers could redefine what defense will look like in tomorrow’s NBA.
The idea of converting Simmons from a point guard to a point center is not new but something the Sixers have considered in the past because his size and skillset are better suited for playing point center than point guard. Simmons’ 6′ 11,” 250 lbs body and 7′ 0″ wingspan combined with his speed, quickness, athleticism, mobility, and defensive instincts make him the ideal candidate to be a modern small ball center in the mold of Draymond Green.
More importantly, trading for Ben Simmons would give the Lakers the third superstar they desperately need to keep pace with the Brooklyn Nets’ Superstar Big Three of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. That’s something the Lakers’ Rob Pelinka and Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul have probably already discussed in the aftermath of the Lakers’ disappointing first round exit. Three superstars is great insurance against injuries.
Don’t underestimate the influence Rich Paul could have on what happens to Ben Simmons. It’s no secret that Paul and Klutch Sports have worked closely with Rob Pelinka and the LA Lakers to build a championship caliber squad. Rich and Rob worked closely together to orchestrate Anthony Davis’ trade to the Lakers and you can expect them to be looking for a solution that would add another Klutch Sports client to the eight already on the Lakers’ roster.
The big question is whether the Lakers have enough trading chips to make an offer to compete against offers from other teams that could include star players like Gordon Hayward, Kyle Lowry, CJ McCollum, or Zach LaVine? The best offer the Lakers could make could be a package including small forward Kyle Kuzma, shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and either point guard Dennnis Schroder or shooting guard Talen Horton-Tucker.
Needless to say, trading for Simmons would cost the Lakers bench depth and diversity and leave them with few trading chips left to upgrade their 3-point shooting but it would dramatically upgrade their top ranked defense. Doubling down on defense by going all-in on a small ball center would be the Lakers zigging when every other NBA team is zagging but it would also give LeBron James and Anthony Davis the third superstar to be their best.
The Lakers would still have to scramble to find more accurate and prolific 3-point shooters at both guard positions but trading for Simmons would give them the foundation to become the NBA’s dominant defensive juggernaut.
I always love an idea that’s out-of-the-box and the Lakers trading for Ben Simmons certainly is not something most LA fans would be in favor of, especially after Ben’s flaws were exposed in the Sixers’ second round loss to the Hawks. Now might be the perfect time for the Lakers to steal him while his price is low.
When you look at Ben Simmon’s skills size and skills, it’s obvious to me that he would be better suited to be a point center than a point guard. In fact, he could be the Lakers’ version of Draymond Green, an elite small ball center who can defend all five positions as well as make plays for hiomself and teammates.
While other teams are going small on offense with stretch fives, the Lakers would be going in the other direction and looking to go small on defense, much like the Warriors did with Draymond Green and their Death Lineup. A front court Superstar Big Three of LeBron, AD, and Ben could be the best defensive front court in the history of the league.
We’re talking about three near 7-footers who can each defend 1 through 5 at the rim or behind the 3-point line. That’s unheard of size, speed, quickness, athleticism, and mobiliity for a small ball lineup. While it’s a long shot to happen, it’s the kind of creative and innovative moves Rob Pelinka needs to make to rebuild the Lakers this summer.
If they’re crazy enough (Morey is) to trade him…it’d be a coup that CP3 was supposed to be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0txiJqeqGco
I actually kind of love this idea except for that Ben might get pushed around by guys like Embiid, Ayton and their ilk. But that could an incredibly unique dimension to the Laker offense.
Thanks, Jamie. This is actually one of my favorite articles this season. I had written last year about Ben’s potential as a small ball center but am intrigued by the possibility that Philly will have to trade Simmons. I think his potential as small ball point center on offense and a mobile athletic rim protector who can guard all five positions on defense is elite.
As for Embiid or Ayton pushing Ben around, Ben is 6′ 11″ 250 lbs and will have 6′ 9″ 250 lbs LeBron James and 6′ 11″ 250 lbs Anthony Davis to help him in the post. Lakers could dominate inside on offense and defense. Would need to find two elite high volume 3-point shooters for the guards position to make it work but teams would struggle to score against a James, Davis, Simmons Big Three.
Do I wish he could shoot and stretch the floor? Sure, but his ability to switch and shut down players who play all five positions makes up for that. Inabiliity to defend on the perimeter is what allows teams to play other centers off the court. That won’t happen with Ben, who has replace Myles Turner as my primary center target for the Lakers.
Talk about doubling down on defense. James, Davis, and Simmons would give the Lakers three ‘bigs’ who are mobile, athletic, and impactful at both ends. All three could play the five. All three are great instinctive defenses. All three are BIG and strong. They would make the Lakers defense dramatically better and more versatile.
Rich Paul needs to push this idea to the Lakers. It’s the single best way to redeem Ben’s value. Playiong small ball five with LeBron and AD would resurrect his career in a major way. Lakers defense, playmaking, and versatility would be unmatched in the league.
Count me in. Someone will get thru to Ben and help unleash him into the dynamic playoff performer that he can be. Why not us?
Thanks, Lee. I have trading for Ben as the #1 priority for Lakers, even over trading for Turner or Lowry. He is the perfect modern defensive small ball center. He and LeBron and Anthony would dominate the front court against everybody.
No. They can’t. If they wouldn’t take James Harden for him, they won’t take the worthless garbage the Lakers have to offer.
Therein lies the issue on a lot of these trade ideas. Can Lakers convince some team that Luz, KCP, THT and/or a S&T for a Dennis is a positive move?
Only piece the Lakers have worth a crap is AD, and you can’t get equal value. But if you move him, be prepared to unload everything related to the klutch clown show, including Lebron and THT. I would as I think the championship window is closed. AD seems content with having the pressure off having won one. Maybe Minny would give up Towns, and definitely Russell. Lebron is on his decline and will probably be looking for an extension to boot at another max. Send him back to Cleveland since he likes to pretend he gives a crap about his home state. Better to get rid of these guys a year too early than too late.