Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G/F Ben Simmons

Brooklyn Nets Receive: G D’Angelo Russell, F Jarred Vanderbilt, 2023 Lottery-Protected First-Round Pick

The Minnesota Timberwolves found themselves struggling to keep up with the Memphis Grizzlies’ small-ball lineup after they integrated Brandon Clarke more into the game plan. The addition of Ben Simmons from the Brooklyn Nets would allow the T-Wolves to construct possibly one of the most lethal small lineups in the entire league.

Simmons would be able to replicate all of Russell’s playmaking in Minnesota while significantly raising the team’s ceiling on defense. Karl-Anthony Towns and Ben Simmons are best friends, and they just happen to also perfectly complement each other on the court.

KAT’s perimeter prowess would keep the paint wide open for Simmons to roll or slash into the lane, and Ben’s defensive versatility will enable Minnesota to hide Towns on that end of the court.

Losing Vanderbilt — who was a revelation on defense this last season — hurts, but Simmons can do everything he can on defense and more.

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For the Brooklyn Nets, they add a true floor general and deep shooter in the form of D’Angelo Russell to their star tandem of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Russell would be a huge get in that he could help prevent teams from loading up their defense against Durant and throwing a wrench into the Nets’ offense like the Boston Celtics did in Brooklyn’s first-round sweep.

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Jarred Vanderbilt will give the Nets a true defensive enforcer on the weakside and increased lineup versatility. The 2023 non-lottery pick will open up further trade flexibility or can be used to add young depth.