The Golden State Warriors, perennial contenders in the NBA’s brutal Western Conference, are playing a high-stakes game of chess this offseason. While the basketball world buzzes about Draymond Green’s role as the defensive heartbeat of the team, whispers of a bold contingency plan are emerging. With only nine players under contract and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga’s future uncertain, the Warriors are reportedly eyeing a surprising name to bolster their roster: former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons.
According to Bleacher Report’s salary cap expert Eric Pincus, Simmons could be the perfect understudy to Draymond Green. “Simmons is similar in many ways to Draymond Green,” Pincus notes. “Neither has earned their contracts through individual scoring, but through defense and playmaking.” Pairing Simmons’ unique skill set with the Warriors’ dynamic offense, led by the unparalleled shooting of Steph Curry and the gritty versatility of a potential addition like Jimmy Butler, could make Golden State a juggernaut once again.
However, the comparison isn’t flawless. Green’s willingness to shoot from beyond the arc, even if inconsistently, sets him apart from Simmons, who has long struggled with perimeter shooting. Despite this, Simmons’ 6-foot-10 frame, elite playmaking, and All-Defensive First Team pedigree make him an intriguing fit for a Warriors team desperate for size, rebounding, and defensive tenacity.
Simmons’ career has been a rollercoaster. Once hailed as a generational talent with the Philadelphia 76ers, the three-time All-Star’s trajectory took a nosedive after personal and health challenges. His recent stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers were marred by injuries and underwhelming production. Last season, Simmons averaged a modest 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in 33 games with the Nets, followed by a career-low 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in just 17 games with the Clippers.
Yet, the Warriors see opportunity where others see risk. At a projected minimum-contract price for the 2025-26 season, Simmons represents a low-cost, high-reward gamble, as noted by ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel. “Throughout his career, the former first-overall pick has thrived in systems with reliable shooters around him,” Siegel wrote on July 12. “Simmons could give Golden State everything they need in terms of height, rebounding, and playmaking outside of Steph.
Before the Warriors can fully embrace a Simmons experiment, they must resolve the ongoing saga with Jonathan Kuminga. The restricted free agent’s contract negotiations are a pivotal domino in Golden State’s offseason strategy. Retaining Kuminga would push the team’s payroll into luxury tax territory, while losing him—either outright or via a sign-and-trade—could free up resources and roster spots. Pincus highlights that the Warriors have deals in place with veterans like Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II, but their next moves hinge on Kuminga’s fate.
Without Kuminga, the Warriors would need to fill two to three roster spots, making a bargain signing like Simmons even more appealing. His ability to anchor the second unit’s defense and facilitate for Golden State’s shooters could seamlessly complement the team’s up-tempo, pass-heavy style.
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has been clear about the team’s offseason priorities. “We feel like we have a group going forward that’s going to be pretty good,” Dunleavy told ESPN’s Katie George in July. “What do we need to add? In the frontcourt, some shooting; in the backcourt, some defense. Offensively, guys that can shoot, pass, and dribble.” Simmons, while not a shooter, checks several boxes with his defensive versatility and playmaking instincts, offering a cost-effective solution to Dunleavy’s wishlist.
The Warriors’ quiet offseason, with no veteran free-agent signings as of mid-August, suggests a calculated approach. While Draymond Green remains the linchpin of Golden State’s defense, the potential addition of Ben Simmons signals a deeper strategy: preparing for life after Green or, at the very least, fortifying the roster with a like-minded defensive maestro. With Simmons’ bargain-bin price tag and Kuminga’s contract situation still unresolved, the Warriors are poised to make waves in a shifting free-agent market.