How This Trade Impacts Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz has to do something to change up the dynamic of their roster. One of their biggest issues has been versatility on the defensive end of the floor. Rudy Gobert is elite, but the team has very few options when they are forced to downsize.
Swapping Gobert out for Ben Simmons is a downgrade size-wise, leaving a huge hole in the middle. But, their perimeter defense would improve immensely with Simmons in the fold. Small ball would no longer flummox them, as Simmons is one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA and can defend any position on the court.
Offensively, Simmons’ presence could create a more efficient product for someone such as Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell does almost all of the heavy lifting for Utah’s starting unit, so adding the playmaking of Simmons would help take some pressure off of him.
Simmons is also more than four years younger than Gobert. He would help the Jazz reset their timeline a bit, matching up more alongside the one of Mitchell, who is also turning 26 this year.
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In addition to Simmons, the Jazz is getting a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. That can help them add a cost-controlled, young player to the mix if they choose. If not, they can use that draft pick to sweeten a package to bring in another established player to help the team remain competitive next season even if they move on from Gobert.
