Ben Simmons trade value reportedly ‘pretty high’ despite rough NBA playoffs

Appearing on Bill Simmons’s podcast, NBA insider Chris Mannix hinted the perceived value for Ben Simmons among fans might be a lot lower than how teams around the league view him.

“I hear from executives all the time that are loving this ‘Ben Simmons trade value has cratered’ conversation because they hope that Philadelphia believes that," Mannix said, via The Ringer. "I think his trade value is actually higher than what’s being publicly portrayed. But you’re going to continue to hear a lot of the negativity around Ben Simmons…I think people value him pretty high across the league because I do think there’s a belief that someone’s going to figure the shooting thing out.”

It’s understandable why teams would still be high on Simmons. He is one of the best defenders in the NBA, capable of guarding any position on the floor. He also displays strong vision and routinely finds ways to find teammates who have the best shot.

While there might be some push back from fans who would be upset about their club acquiring Simmons, he is an impact player that would make almost any team better. Plus, considering his youth, he is someone both contenders and rebuilding teams could value equally.

With that said, believing that someone else can miraculously solve his shooting issues is a remarkable stretch of hubris. Coaches and general managers out there believe, after seeing it never work for the 76ers, it might work for them.

A Ben Simmons trade is in the best interest of all parties and a change of scenery could help him turn things around. But the same reaction executives have to fans’ perception of Simmons is shared when fans hear about anonymous teams thinking they can make him a shooter.