When you list the teams that have to hit the mark this offseason, the Golden State Warriors arguably find themselves among the list. An open-wide 2021 NBA Playoffs is proof that Golden State has the chance to make noise next season with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and the soon-to-return Klay Thompson back in the fold. Alongside developing young talent like Jordan Poole and notable impact players like Juan Toscano-Anderson, the Warriors can absolutely be a contender in the 2021-2022 season.

To get there, they’ll need to add some extra reinforcements to the roster, and despite their cap restrictions, Bob Myers and company have valuable assets to accomplish that goal. With the seventh and fourteenth picks in the 2021 draft, with a couple players on the roster that could yield trade value, the Warriors could very well make a splash, receiving a household name in return. One name that has been floating around as of late: Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers.

As hard as it may be, try to forget his forgettable performance in the series against the Atlanta Hawks, and the fact is Golden State has the opportunity to add one of the league’s best defenders and premier threat in transition. Simmons’ ability comes with the benefit of being a two-way impact player, but he undoubtedly comes with some weaknesses as well. Golden State would be banking that a change of scenery, and the Warriors’ culture, could help address the latter.

How Simmons fits in with the Warriors

If Ben Simmons were to suit up at Chase Center next season, his responsibilities would surely be different than his time in Philadelphia. Simmons’ weaknesses were heightened this postseason as he was asked to be the secondary scoring threat behind Joel Embiid, furthering the belief that the duo’s fit was meant to be short-lived. In Golden State, with the greatest shooting backcourt in the history of the game, the need for Simmons to be a primary scorer decreases greatly. That being said, Golden State still needs him to be aggressive on offense, which hindered him and the Sixers in their postseason exit at the hands of the Hawks.

But with the Warriors offensive system predicated on ball movement, Simmons might not need to be the primary ball handler every possession, which forced him to create his own scoring opportunities. Instead, with Curry and Klay moving off the ball and Draymond facilitating the offense, Simmons can easily look to take advantage of the open spacing. Golden State loves to speed the game in transition as well, and with Curry and Thompson stretching the defense, it opens up the lane for Simmons to make his money by driving to the basket.

With Kerr preaching ball movement to the fullest, Simmons gives the Warriors an additional player adept at passing the ball. It might be beneficial for Ben Simmons’ psyche when his primary goal is to find Curry or Thompson or another cutting player, as opposed to always being the primary ball handler, looking to facilitate the offense every possession.

Of course, Simmons' impact would also be felt on defense, and it would give Golden State added length on the wing. You could stick Simmons on some of the West’s elite guards like Damian Lillard, or at 6’11 you could also place him in the frontcourt. The Warriors pride themselves on defense, and after finishing top five in defensive rating last season, adding a player with the caliber of Simmons’ defense could make them even more formidable on that side of the ball.

What are the odds a trade could happen?

Simmons is one of the best players the Warriors (theoretically) could acquire in the offseason, but the same can be said that he may not be the best fit for what Golden State needs. From a financial standpoint, Simmons is due $146.7 million over the next four years, and it's worth asking whether a player of Simmons' talent and flaws is worth the money, especially when you’re investing heavily in Curry, Klay, and Draymond.

After Andrew Wiggins thrived on both ends in his first full season in Golden State, it's also fair to question whether adding another star truly takes this roster to the next level. Is it instead more reasonable to bolster the bench with an impact veteran or two?

From a logistical standpoint, there’s also the question of whether the assets Golden State delivers helps address the needs Philadelphia has. Draft picks won’t be enough for Simmons, the Sixers want players that fill their roster holes. Andrew Wiggins and James Wiseman are two names constantly mentioned in any hypothetical Warriors trade, yet neither are best suited for Philadelphia. The Sixers are looking for a lead guard in replacement of Simmons, and Wiseman doesn’t make sense as he plays the same position as Joel Embiid.

The needs of Philadelphia and the financial states at play make a Ben Simmons trade seem hopeful at the most, and any deal may likely need the inclusion of a third team to satisfy all parties.