Miami Heat Receive: G/F Ben Simmons

Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Kyle Lowry, G Tyler Herro

For that matter, is Ben Simmons a safer bet than Irving?

For our money, he is. Simmons, like Irving, has struggled with availability over the last two seasons. Unlike Irving, his problems are at least partly physical.

Yes, there does seem to be a mental component to Simmons’ struggles as well. On the other hand, injuries can affect one’s mental state. From that point of view, Simmons’ mental health issues are at least more explainable. It’s fair to assume that if he was completely physically capable of playing, he would.

We can’t say the same for Irving. With that said, if the Miami Heat declined this deal, it may be due to Simmons’ fit with the team. Jimmy Butler is a wildly inconsistent three-point shooter, and Bam Adebayo is a non-spacer.

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If the Heat felt that they didn’t have the roster to accommodate fellow non-shooter Simmons, that would be understandable. Perhaps these two sides should seek a team who could.