Warriors Should Offer This Former All-NBA Star a Low-Risk Contract in Free Agency

The Golden State Warriors need to start making some offseason moves. Jonathan Kuminga’s contract negotiations seem to be going extremely poorly. Kuminga doesn’t want to rejoin the Warriors, and the Warriors are not willing to let him go for below market value. 

This Kuminga free agency situation has frozen the Warriors' front office. They haven’t been able to make any significant signings, and it’s almost time for training camp to start. The Warriors need to start looking at some players to round out their roster. 

One player that the Warriors could consider making a free agency offer to is Ben Simmons. While Simmons used to be one of the most exciting young stars in the league, that is no longer the case. Now, Simmons looks like he is headed for a veteran minimum contract or possibly even retirement. 

This is why the Warriors should consider throwing a veteran minimum contract at Simmons. If Simmons wants to play a reserve role on a playoff team, the Warriors could offer him a fairly legitimate role.

The Warriors need size, rebounding, and defense. At this point, that’s pretty much all Simmons can do. While Simmons is a nonexistent scoring threat on the offensive end, as a Los Angeles Clipper last season, he showed that he still has some decent defensive chops. 

Simmons’ offensive shortcomings would also be covered up by the presence of Stephen Curry. The Warriors have had success in the past with players who couldn’t shoot or were only able to thrive on one side of the ball. Simmons could feasibly fit in the Warriors system.

Don’t get things confused, Warriors fans. Even if the Warriors did sign Ben Simmons, he won’t be the reason they can win an NBA championship. The Warriors' chances next season fully hinge on Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. If those three can stay healthy and lead the rest of the Warriors' young core, Ben Simmons would only be the cherry on top.