Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal

Some will find it odd that the Utah Jazz are trading for Ben Simmons here. After all, he’s actually a year older than Donovan Mitchell. Aren’t they supposed to be rebuilding?

Well, define rebuilding. This deal does net the Jazz four first-round picks in addition to Simmons. Sure, if he’s healthy and playing, he’ll keep them from bottoming out and maximizing their lottery odds in 2022-23.

That just happens to be a big “if”. Furthermore, no team has really built around Ben Simmons from the bottom up. Remember, he joined a Sixers team already featuring Joel Embiid as a rookie.

This deal gives the Jazz two potential outcomes. They may become the team to unlock Simmons as a franchise player, with the opportunity to cater a roster to his strengths.

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Alternatively, Ben Simmons could spend another season mostly sidelined, and then they’ll find themselves in the lottery with four new future first-round picks.

In other words, it’s a win-win for the organization.