Ben Simmons had a very rough NBA playoff run this postseason.
He finished the playoffs averaging only 11.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.8 assists.
With him still being so young and full of potential, teams are more than eager to trade for him.
However, there are a handful of teams that should avoid trading for Simmons at all costs.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Simmons is one of the many clients around the league that is signed to Rich Paul.
Paul is a very good friend of LeBron James and many of his clients have made their way to the Lakers.
It would not be a stretch to believe if James wanted Simmons to join the Lakers, he would be able to force his way onto the team.
This is a similar situation that led to the Lakers landing Anthony Davis in a blockbuster trade.
However, fans of the Lakers should be praying that James does not want Simmons in the purple and gold.
Simply, Simmons would be a redundancy on the roster.
Adding Simmons would bring one of the best defensive players in the league onto one of the best defensive teams in the league.
However, it would add arguably the worst shooter in the league to a team that needs to find shooting.
Y’all talked bout the lakers spacing all season long now want some Ben Simmons pic.twitter.com/N3k7y2AQ4x
— Kat (@angelKat31) June 22, 2021
Having a big three that is comprised of players who do not thrive from three would be a recipe for disaster for the Lakers.
As a result of this, they should do everything in their power to stay away from a trade for Ben Simmons
2. Washington Wizards
According to @SportsBettingAG, the #Wizards have the second-highest odds at landing Ben #Simmons.
(via @BenMehicNBA) pic.twitter.com/8EHpXqU6GO
— NBA Analysis Network (@HoopAnalysisNet) June 21, 2021
The Wizards need to figure out quickly whether they are going to go all in with Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook or if they are going to try to rebuild.
If they are shooting for a rebuild, then trading for Simmons may not be an awful idea.
However, if Russell Westbrook is still a member of the team after the trade goes through, it would be an awful fit.
First, the only way the 76ers would accept a trade for Simmons is if Beal was involved in the deal.
This means that before trading for Simmons, the Wizards would first have to find a trade for Westbrook.
This would be much easier said than done.
Westbrook has one of the worst contracts in the league and would be difficult to get rid of without adding in some draft capital.
A deal sending Beal to the 76ers while keeping Westbrook on the roster is a move that could set the franchise back years.
It would give them the worst shooting backcourt in the league in an era where the three-point shot dominates.
Unless the Wizards plan on shipping off Westbrook along with Beal, they should stay far away from any Ben Simmons trade talks.
3. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have one of the brightest futures in the league.
They have their stars for years to come in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram already on the roster.
They must now try to figure out how to fill out the rest of the roster and find the right coaching staff.
The worst thing they could do is give up their depth or future picks to gain Ben Simmons.
While it would make the Pelicans an even more exciting young team to watch, it would be detrimental to their future.
It is likely that the Pelicans would have to pay all three players max money when their time comes.
A big three of Williamson, Ingram, and Simmons may very well never be enough to even contend for a title.
It would make no sense for the Pelicans to throw caution into the wind and bite on a deal for Simmons.
Unless Simmons or Williamson prove they are more than capable jump shooters, a deal should not be done.
NEXT: Why The Brooklyn Nets Were Doomed From The Start