The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to take the next step after they reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the last two seasons, so any small improvement could be the difference come playoff time.
And adding Simmons would be a small improvement.
For as consistent and reliable as Mike Conley has been throughout his career, he is 38 years old and appeared to slow down at times last season. Bolstering the backcourt depth, especially with someone like Simmons who can handle the ball and facilitate, would only help the Timberwolves keep Conley fresher as the season progresses.
Simmons’ defensive prowess would also be a boost for Anthony Edwards because the former could guard the opponent’s best wing player for extended stretches on a nightly basis.
That will take some of the defensive pressure off Edwards and perhaps give him even more burst on the other end as one of the league’s top offensive playmakers.