Kimani Okearah

PLAYERS THAT NEED A NEW CHANGE OF SCENERY

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BEN SIMMONS

Ever since the disappointing playoff series in the semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks it was put on notice that Simmons really needs a change of scenery. Not just his lack of shooting being a problem but his lack of aggressiveness for having all the physical tools needed and some. The fit between him and Joel Embiid has been questionable to me from the beginning and I think now is the time for a deal to be done. Ben Simmons to eliminate his weaknesses as much as possible needs to have a team built around him similar to Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetekounmpo. But not just shooting he needs to work on the mental side of the game and become more aggressive. Simmons' camp as well reportedly wants a trade as well as he again reportedly has not been in contact with anyone on the team. The Timberwolves have been linked to Ben but a third team will be needed to get the deal done.

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BUDDY HEILD

Buddy Heild has been in trade rumors for what seems like forever now. A deal was almost done with the Lakers before they traded for Russell Westbrook. The Lakers were linked to Buddy for a while with GM Rob Pelinka being his former agent and his former teammate Anthony Davis being there as well. But with the Kings drafting Davion Mitchell with the 9th overall pick already having Fox and Haliburton it is weird to keep Buddy Heild. He's been forced to play the small forward spot for a couple seasons now but he is at his best playing the two. Forcing the Kings to go small ball Heild did not really want to come off the bench last year either. An elite shooter like Buddy can fit on any nba team, its just a matter of his around $20M dollar annually contract. 

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MARVIN BAGLEY III

Another Sacramento King, 2nd overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft Marvin Bagley. Going that high obviously there’s several nba players you can name from that draft that should’ve gone over him. But, on the optimistic side he is only 22 years old. He has been injury riddled and so far has only played 50% of his career games. Bagley and his father has been wanting a change of scenery. When healthy Bagley can be very productive. Its just a matter of health and should he really be a Sacramento King. They’ve had much more success with veteran Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes as the front-court.

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MYLES TURNER

The fit between Sabonis and Turner has been questionable since it started since both really aren’t knockdown shooters but take them by default. Myles is one of the best shot blockers and defenders in the league. Surprisingly only 25 years old. Taken with the 11th overall pick in 2015 he was a highly touted 3&D big man. Though hasn’t been disappointing per say but has not reached his full potential either. Going to a contender or a team with better shooting could help his career. Turner was linked to the New Orleans Pelicans before they made the trade to acquire Jonas Valanciunas. Sabonis is the clear better center just with a more versatile back to basket game so he is somewhat able to play power forward.

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CAM REDDISH

With the emergence of Kevin Huerter in the playoffs last season and the inability to pay all the Hawks young guys it is warranted for Reddish to need a new change a scenery. He is not a bad player by any means and is one of the most underrated young players in my opinion. Good defender with a lot of shot creating and shot making ability and potential. He let some of that show in the playoffs as well when he was healthy against the Bucks. Reddish averaged 12.8 points per game and 1.5 assists per game on 52.8 field goal and 64.3 3-point percentages.

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KEVIN KNOX II

It has not been a good start to say the least for Kevin Knox and his career. Taken ninth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. Being on a team coached by Thibs a young project like Knox will not be getting many minutes to develop. I think for Knox to reach his full potential and get his confidence back up like he was in high school and college a he'd need to be on a great development staff than can really mentor him like the Warriors or Spurs. He's under contract for the Knicks until the end of this upcoming season unless the Knicks extend the $7.9M qualifying offer which is not likely. 

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KYLE KUZMA

This one is a bit of a hypothetical since he has not played a Wizard game yet but I don't think being in Washington is a good situation for Kuz. His best season he was featured in the offense a lot on and off the ball. He had a hart time given the inconsistency with his role on the Lakers and playing with Lebron and AD. He's going to be in a similar situation playing with Bradley Beal and Spencer Dinwiddie. The Wizards also have Rui Hachimura. For Kuz to be his best I think if he the Lakers traded him to the Kings which was rumored he would play alongside two elite playmakers in Fox and Haliburton and he could flourish, similar to how he played alongside Lonzo Ball who is an elite playmaker. Neither Dinwiddie or Beal are elite playmakers but they’re both passable for what it's worth. I just think for Kuz to be his best he needs a consistent role in the offense and to be the 3rd or 4th best starter. That is not a guarantee playing with Beal, Dinwiddie, and Hachimura.