Ben Simmons drawing interest from surprise NBA contender

With his NBA career floundering, Ben Simmons may be getting thrown a life vest by a surprise team.

Simmons’ name has recently come up as a possible free agent target for the Golden State Warriors, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported on Saturday. The three-time All-Star Simmons remains an unrestricted free agent after splitting time last season between the Brooklyn Nets and the LA Clippers.

Still only 28 years old, Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game overall last season. He no longer has the stigma of a big contract and has also transitioned into a bench role at this point of his career … but is still not drawing very much interest from NBA teams.

The Warriors would be a pretty surprising landing spot for Simmons. For one, Golden State’s offense is all about three-point shooting and freewheeling motion. That runs directly counter to Simmons’ ball-dominant, non-shooting style of play.

Additionally, Simmons beefed in the past with Warriors star Jimmy Butler. The two players used to be teammates on the Philadelphia 76ers (from 2018-19), and there were plenty of signs that the two did not quite get along.

But Golden State does need help on their second unit, particularly with one key bench cog not expected to return next season. While Simmons won’t magically start shooting threes or scoring 20 points per game, the Warriors could certainly do worse than adding a 6-foot-10 defender and playmaker of Simmons’ caliber on a minimum contract (or close to it).