Will the 76ers be able to deal Ben Simmons? | Dunk Bait
Lajethro Jenkins looks at Philadelphia's dilemma with its All-Star, plus Rajon Rondo's expected return to the Lakers.
Video Transcript
LAJETHRO JENKINS: So, Ben Simmons is probably gonna stay in Philly a little longer. Apparently, there are no suitors for an All-Star caliber player who doesn't play like an All-Star in the biggest moments. Is anybody surprised by this? I'm not surprised. We all saw what happened in the playoffs last year. I'm not saying Ben Simmons isn't good. He's a hooper. He can play. But in the biggest moment, Ben Simmons looked scared, and we all saw it, and we all knew it. Who wants to give up another All-Star caliber player, which is what the Sixers want, for that, a guy you can win with in the regular season, but a guy that doesn't show up in the playoffs when it truly matters? Of course, Ben Simmons is staying with the Sixers. He needs to play his value back up to where he really should be, or could be. I just don't see them getting what they're expecting, based upon what we all know about Ben. There were rumors about him shooting with his opposite hand this summer, like there is every summer. Come on, man! Who wants to pay $33 million for that?
Rondo resigns with the Lakers. Good for Rondo. How excited am I about it? I mean, it's good to have somebody who can keep the team together, run the team from the point guard position when 'Bron and Westbrook are sitting. That's great to have. Do I think he makes the team better? Not really. To keep it a stack, even during the Playoff Rondo run in the Bubble, that season, you know, he stayed on my nerves. He showed up and was great in the playoffs. Do I expect that again? I don't think we'll need that from him, honestly. I think we're good enough. So, good for Rondo. The team is solid. I don't think it made them better than, potentially, the Bucks, definitely, the Nets, who I think are the favorite next year. But, I mean, I'm glad for Rondo, man, you know what I'm saying? It will be good to see him in a Lakers jersey again. Hopefully, during the regular season, he's got on my nerves as much. Hopefully, we see more Playoff Rondo pre-playoffs, you feel what I'm saying?