Ben Simmons' Decision Is Reportedly Holding Up The Market For Russell Westbrook

Ben Simmons has gone from being unavailable to play for multiple games to one of the most sought-after point guards in free agency this season. Not saying he's back to an All-Star level, but his upside seems to be the most promising investment for teams among the remaining free agent guards in the market, especially following Marcus Smart's move to the Lakers. 

According to NBA Insider Jake L. Fischer, who conducted a live stream with Bleacher Report, Russell Westbrook is among several veteran point guards who are seemingly waiting for Ben Simmons to decide on his future. 

To be clear, the players are not specifically waiting, but the teams are holding up on giving contracts to them because of their interest in Ben Simmons. While answering the public's questions about Russell Westbrook, Fischer had a noteworthy observation.

"I think Westbrook is another player who's being held up by Ben Simmons. You know, he's had interest from Sacramento [Kings]. He had interest from New York [Knicks] at one point in time, but I do think that Simmons is younger and theoretically has more upside left on the table. Russ is a big personality. I think he is in the holding pattern just like Malcolm Brogdon behind Ben Simmons here."

Nearly a month into free agency, we have only heard rumors about where Ben Simmons could go and teams that are potentially interested in him. But for some reason, Simmons has not yet announced a decision on his future. 

Where Could Ben Simmons Go? 

The former All-Star averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game in the short stay he had with the Clippers last season. While his offensive production is nowhere close to being an All-Star caliber player, his passing vision and playmaking IQ are something that teams can still use to their benefit. 

Diving deep into Ben Simmons' potential landing spots, Fischer also gave a rough idea of the list of teams and players not signing contracts yet due to Ben Simmons. 

"I think Ben Simmons is now the most consequential free agent on the board. I think he is the player that's holding up guys like Malcolm Brogdon and I mean DeAnthony Melton, we still think is going to Golden State, but he's kind of the premier ball handler, backup guard, swingman type of player that's out there and Sacramento is definitely still a team that Simmons is deciding amongst his options."

“Right now, there's a bit of a Ben Simmons sweepstakes going on at the bottom of the barrel of the NBA free agency open market period. Ben Simmons hasn't been this big of a name since the days of Thad Young in Philadelphia. So, we have kind of a Ben Simmons watch."

“I don't think he's a candidate for the Sixers right now at all,” clarified Fischer as fans flooded his comment section, saying bring him home.

“But I do think that Sacramento is still looking for a veteran guard. New York is still looking for a veteran guard. The Golden State is still looking for a veteran guard. And we've got, you know, the Bucks have made plenty of inroads in that marketplace as well. I mean, they brought in Cole Anthony, so who's to say what type of opportunity is still there for them to play and bring in another ball handler?”

“But I think Ben Simmons is the domino that a lot of agents and teams are waiting on for this next evolution of the offseason market here. Sacramento, New York, Boston, Phoenix. I'm going to take Phoenix out of the equation, though. I think as of now, after the recent development of Jordan Goodwin going to the Suns.”

Players like Malcolm Brogdon and Elfrid Payton are among the playmaking point guards who are yet to receive contracts, likely to teams considering Ben Simmons over them. The Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics seem like the potentially favourable landing spots for Ben Simmons. 

Among the remaining unrestricted free agents in the market, only Westbrook (6.1 assists per game) and Payton (6.9 assists per game) have a better assists average from last season than Ben Simmons. It will be interesting to see where Ben Simmons ends up and how this will impact veteran players like Russell Westbrook and Malcolm Brogdon.