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Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook could remain unsigned entering training camp. And that feels odd. Simmons is a former No. 1 overall pick. Westbrook is a future Hall of Famer. But it’s fair to wonder if there’s any place left for either in the NBA.

Think about that. Simmons, with no team? Westbrook, with no hoops home? There will come a day when all pros will have to realize the end of their career is here. For Simmons and Westbrook, well, we may have reached that point.

I doubt it, but maybe.

“I like both players, and I think they could help us,” one NBA scout told Hoops Wire. “But honestly, no longer on anything more than minimum salaries. They’re limited in what they can do nowadays.”

Simmons and Westbrook both would want more than the veteran’s minimum salary. They may go unsigned before camp because of it.

“Look, this isn’t 2017 or 2019 anymore,” another scout told Hoops Wire. “If Westbrook goes unsigned, or Simmons, it’s not that big of a deal. You can find younger guys like them for cheaper. It’s nothing personal. But everyone gets old, and with Simmons, there are some major flaws there that aren’t ever going away. So why not give someone else a try?”

As I’ve said repeatedly here and on the airwaves, I doubt that Westbrook and Simmons go unsigned beyond December or January.

“But it very well could take that long,” the first scout said. “Clearly, no one is in a major rush to sign either player, and I for one totally get that.”

44 comments

  2. Didn’t Russ turn down his player option with the Nuggets? Was it more than the minimum?

  6. Amico no.

    This doesn’t make sense for Russ. He’s played on a minimum before. If he really was trying to get paid as much as possible, he could’ve opted into his Nugs contract and made them trade him to the Jazz to get bought out again so that he could double dip. I don’t buy it.

  7. Not surprising if they both want more than vet mins. Simmons should’ve seen this coming ~3 years ago…everyone else did. Can’t stay healthy, misses far too many games, and when he does play he’s a far way from his ROTY years production-wise. WB has had a steady decline since probably his stint with the Wizards, and teams probably value a guard with a more reliable shot or less turnovers if they’re gonna pay more than a min deal.

    I’m sure both will find a team, but it might be a last minute or even mid-season signing to replace an injured depth piece somewhere. This probably is getting close to the end for both though, would be shocked if either were still playing in 2-3 more years (although WB is technically old enough that he’s nearing retirement age for basketball anyway)

  8. Russ can do whatever he wants. Ben needs to wake the fuck up and take whatever comes his way.

    Edit:

    My point is Russ is a future HoFer. Holds all-time trip dubs title, won an MVP,…. he can do whatever he wants. He’s earned the right.

    Ben Simmons, meh.. he should just play for whoever wants him.

  9. I am so hard pressed to believe that westbrook cares about an extra 4-5 mil. Pls just go somewhere u can contribute gang

  10. Pipe dream but I would love Russ on a 1 year deal running backup, mentoring Melon, and putting some dog in this team

  12. Westbrook strikes me as the type of guy that will pull an Allen Iverson and head overseas for a couple years to get more money rather than accept a smaller contract in the NBA.

  14. Ben Simmons got paid massive amounts of money then decided he’d rather sit out for a few years and now he’s shocked that no team wants to offer him more than a one year minimum? His agent needs to make it clear to him that he’ll never get more than that because of how unreliable he is.

  16. The same is true of all of the statements for me as well. Hoping the three of us figure something out.

  17. Russ might be valid in wanting a higher deal but every public appearance with his hand visible looks extremely concerning, it genuinely does not look like he can play NBA basketball with what the way his hand currently looks

  18. I, too, want more than the vet minimum and will likely remain unsigned prior to camp.

  21. Ben Simmons shouldn’t even be in the league anymore. His defense isn’t good anymore, he can’t shoot (or score at all), and he’s not the rebounder he once was. The only thing he does is he’s a good passer. He’s not a locker room leader if anything he’s a negative. Why would anyone want him on their team he literally brings nothing. 

  22. Simmons has made more than enough money and has shown that basketball isn’t the priority for his life.

  23. Has anybody told Ben that you actually have to give more than the minimum to earn more than the minimum? Or, yknow, give anything at all?

  24. ben simmons just not in a position to ask anything ever again unless he proves hes mvp caliber

  29. Ben Simmons is useless at this level. Westbrook besides his shit shooting has some value.

  30. Benjamin Simmons!? God bless his heart if he thinks he’s worth more than that.

  32. I don’t hate Simmons, but I don’t get why any team would sign him about the minimum (considering his history).

    With Russell, I just want to see him go to a contender. I want to see him compete one last time in the playoffs.

  34. I get Russ, he is not the same but still somewhat decent player, who wants to pay Simmons to not play?

  37. Russ has played his way into more. Ben has played his way to China. Thats the fact of the matter.

  38. Wess will undoubtedly get picked up eventually. Unsure about Simmons. Depends on injuries teams have and willing to roll the dice.

  39. Westbrook did the best he could with his career so whether he retires or finds another team to pick him up he had an amazing career and/or will continue to have one.

    Ben Simmons is a straight up bum and hope a team gives a chance to anyone else since he doesn’t deserve one. He had many chances to prove himself and he doesn’t deserve more than the minimum pay since he’s an end of the bench role player at best at any point in his career

  43. I respect Westbrook a lot. Ben is just a bum. At least Westbrook actually has a legitimate resume in the league. Ben can kick rocks.

  44. Russ had a really productive year so I kind of get why he thinks someone will pay him. Ben Simmons on the other hand?! That’s just delusion.

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