Why Warriors Should Consider Signing Ben Simmons This Offseason

The Golden State Warriors are entering a season in which they will be undermanned and have not done much to replace the temporary losses of Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody.  

Instead, the Warriors have prioritized bringing back veterans such as Draymond Green, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, but they did not bring in any big name free agents to make a difference on the team. 

The biggest addition Golden State made to their roster is rookie forward from Michigan Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg is a player who can play on both ends of the court and attack the rim because of his big frame. 

Still, he's one of the older prospects in this year's draft as he'll be 24 by the time the season starts. 

There is one player who is currently a free agent that is looking to make a comeback in the NBA, and it may not hurt the Warriors to pursue him and take a chance. Ben Simmons has been working his way back onto an NBA roster, and Golden State should be the team that brings him in this season. 

Simmons is 30 years old and was once the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Early in his career, he showed a lot of promise as a forward who could handle the ball and make good passes. 

The downfall of his career started when Simmons began to lose his confidence. He dealt with a number of injuries and struggled to find consistent time on the court. Now, Simmons has gone a full season away from the league, and he has a chance to finish his career strong. 

Marc Spears of ESPN reports that a team in the Western Conference has offered Ben Simmons the chance to come into their training camp and compete for a roster spot. 

The Golden State Warriors would have nothing to lose if they were to sign the veteran forward. Outside of Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, the Warriors lack a dynamic element on the offensive end. Simmons is someone who can set up players all around the court to score and succeed. 

Even though Simmons has not played basketball in over a year, he is a player who has elite instincts and has a natural high basketball IQ. Shooting may be a concern, but if the issue is too prolific, he will be cut from the team. 

It will be interesting to see how the Warriors and the rest of the NBA will treat Simmons in a time in which he's looking to come back to the league.