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Warriors divided over Simmons trade talk because of Green
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Warriors divided over Ben Simmons trade talk because of Draymond Green

Talk that the Golden State Warriors are in on the Ben Simmons sweepstakes have revved up again now that Simmons has reportedly requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers.

But while the Warriors have long been in the middle of chatter regarding the three-time All-Star, their front office is still divided on a very important issue: Whether the Simmons can co-exist with veteran Draymond Green.

"According to league sources, any interest the Warriors might have in Simmons is conditional," Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area recently wrote. "In short, they're not that interested as long as Draymond Green is on the roster."

One reason for the divide is likely, though not yet confirmed, due to team brass consulting core players before making any big roster moves. (Think back to when Green, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala jetted off to the Hamptons to convince Kevin Durant to join the team.) 

But what Simmons brings to the court is another reason talks in the Bay Area are, as Poole put it, conditional. The 25-year-old Australian checks off literally every box with the exception of shooting, and Green already has the non-shooting guard position locked up.

"Some see great potential in having two skilled players thriving in the ball-movement principles, especially in transition," Poole continued. "Simmons also happens to be six years younger than Green. Others, however, believe having two non-shooters on the court is too crippling for an offense, even with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, to overcome, particularly in the postseason."

The Warriors already rejected one trade offer from the Sixers this offseason. If the front office is still divided, it's unlikely Simmons will be calling Chase Center home court anytime soon.

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