Subscribe
Follow Us
There were reports on Monday suggesting that the Boston Celtics are interested in trading for Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons. Simmons has not played a game yet this season for the Sixers and it's unclear when or if he is going to make his return.
Let's take a look at three reasons why this wouldn't be a good trade.
3 Reasons why Celtics shouldn't Trade Jaylen Brown for Ben Simmons
3. Jaylen Brown is much better than Ben Simmons
There isn't much of a comparison here. Simmons does some good things on the basketball court. He's an incredible pass-first point guard who also plays arguably the best defense in the NBA. Simmons downfall is that he isn't a talented scorer. He doesn't have any sort of jump shot and he is often afraid to take a shot.
Jaylen Brown is one of the best scorers in the NBA. He can put up 30 a night and even explode for 40 plus point games anytime he's on the court. The Celtics have someone who is an elite scorer. While it might seem like things are going wrong in Boston, which it's tough to argue it isn't, Brown isn't the issue. The issue with Brown is that he and Jayson Tatum require the ball in their hands at all times. Neither of these players plays well off the ball and that's why the Celtics are seeing struggles. Simmons won't come in and change that. Simmons will also require the ball in his hands as he's a pass-first point guard who tries to make plays for his teammates.
The talent level is nowhere near and Brown is clearly the better player.
2. They're already struggling from behind the 3-point line
The Celtics are one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. Trading the guy who is your highest percentage three-point shooter for a guy who is afraid to take a jump shot doesn't make much sense. If the Celtics want to improve they aren't going to want to trade Brown for someone who quite literally doesn't shoot threes.
The NBA is a three-point shot-heavy league in its current state. If a team wants to succeed in this league they're going to have to be able to shoot the three ball at an average rate, at least.
1. Marcus Smart and others for Simmons is a good deal
Marcus Smart doesn't seem too happy in Boston. He came out and expressed his frustration with his team's play. If the Celtics can create a trade package that would send Smar and a few other guys with some draft picks this might be a good deal. Philadelphia might say no, but for the Celtics, it would be a good deal.
Giving up Smart would mean that Boston would lose one of their best defenders. Adding Simmons would add an incredible defender and upgrade their defense.
There would still be issues with Bostons' offense but this would definitely make their team better.
There's a lot wrong in Boston. The biggest problem is that Tatum and Brown don't play well next to each other. If the Celtics want to get back to being contenders they need to figure that out. Trading Simmons for Brown will only make the Celtics worse.
