2021 NBA playoffs, Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers, Trade News, Sam Cassell, Washington Wizards

The Australian is unwilling to shoot, which caused him to miss many key moments in the game against Atlanta at the end of the fourth quarter-this is not the second best player you want.

however, His stock has plummeted since 12 months ago It is difficult for the Philadelphia team to become stronger in the trade, giving the team a priority to deconstruct and rebuild their previous No. 1 pick.

However, the memory of the NBA world is short-lived, although Simmons went through a disastrous playoff game and ended with the lowest free throw percentage in history, His regular season is much better, and there are even occasional signs that he is starting to integrate it all.

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But now, one of the coaches who had the most influence on Simmons’ progress last season–probably the person responsible for deconstructing and rebuilding the 24-year-old player–is likely to leave Philadelphia.

This may mean that the option of trading Simmons has become more attractive.

According to ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst in his most recent episode Hoop collective podcast, 76ers assistant coach Sam Cassell is one of the “two main candidates” for the Washington Wizards vacant position, as well as Denver Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld.

Wizards reporter Ben Meschick confirmed the report. He said: “I heard that Sam Cassel is a candidate for the head coach of the Wizards.

“Kassel has a long history in the team, so this is to be expected. Tommy Shepard said he wants a’communicator’, and of course Kassel is like that.”

Kassel served as the Wizards assistant coach for five years after his 15-year career, and then Rivers hired him when he was the head coach of the Clippers.

Before last season, he followed Rivers to Philadelphia. One of his main roles in the team was to guide Simmons.And according to Voice of Philadelphia, This will also be his main focus during the offseason.

Therefore, if Cassell is the head coach of the Wizards, Philadelphia may feel that none of them can fully realize Simmons’s potential, even if his psychological barrier in the playoffs is something he can’t overcome.

Although his free throw percentage was terrible due to what happened between the ears, especially against Atlanta, Simmons did experience a purple patch around February, hitting 9 from the free throw line in four consecutive games. The success rate was 78.6 points, 13 points, 14 points, and 6 points.

Simmons knew exactly who was responsible for it.

“I think Sam (Kassel) and I are discussing and working every day,” Simmons added. “Just take it slow, get into the rhythm and know if I really missed it and why I missed it. I think that’s a big one. I have the confidence to line up. I like to get those free agents and have the confidence to knock them down, especially Yes if I want to shoot 10 or 12 shots per game.

“I think in general, we are just working together. I can resonate with him. We talk every day and our relationship is good. It’s just growing. He helped with my game and managing this team. Has taken me a lot.”

Rivers has not lost this relationship. His ability to help players grow is one of the important reasons why he kept Kassel as an assistant for a long time.

“I think Sam is great,” Rivers said. “He has done this wherever he has been. He has strong communication skills. He is very direct. I think he is one of those people. Some people in the league have a way to tell you the truth instead of offending you. I think Sam did a great job in this regard.

“[Simmons] Rivers added: “He is really effective in the late game because this is an area that we think is until the end of the year. Even though it is great now, we hope he will be almost unstoppable before the end of the year.” “We do it every day. Working hard.”

In addition to his low game, under the guidance of Kassel, Simmons’s other improvement in the game was his turnover. In the first 41 games of the season, Simmons averaged 3.4 turnovers per game, and may be the worst of his career, but in the final months of the season, Cassel reduced it to 1.6 turnovers per game.

“Sam destroys him every time he makes a mistake,” Rivers said earlier this year. “Even today, if you see, (Simons) is looking at the bench because Sam really lost his mind to it. Sam is a whisperer of turnover, I think, now, because he cares about Ben very much. This is very important to us, especially during this time.”

Simmons once again attributed Cassel’s regular season improvement to him.

“Yes, Sam has been on my ass, which is a good thing,” he said. “He tried to help me. I am a point guard, and I have the ball in my hands a lot of the time, so I have to take care of it. We are trying to make sure that the team doesn’t have a fast break, starting with turnovers, not rebounding. Just I control the ball, reduce turnovers, find my players and have high assists, I think we will be fine.”

Of course, he still can’t do it in the end, because his mental game at the critical moment disappointed him. If Cassel does leave his job in Washington, his successor will actually start from scratch with Simmons.

If even a well-respected person like Kassel can’t let him perform at his best when it matters most-what chance does his successor have?

This may be the most important factor in whether the 76ers actually enter the Simmons trading market and reduce the loss to him.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported that the Golden State Warriors will “push Simmons,” but given the Warriors’ unwillingness to lose anyone Philadelphia wants, this may involve a three-way trade.

according to Voice of Philadelphia, This is where the Warriors and 76ers can include the Washington Wizards, a potential new team from Cassel.

If the Wizards are willing to transfer Bradley Beal, who fell behind Stephen Curry in the shooting championship this season, to Philadelphia and start rebuilding with a new head coach who has a reputation for training players, then the Warriors’ The two top 14 picks (7th and 14th) are very attractive to them. This will allow Simmons to make time to move west.

Although it will be extremely difficult, but Voice of Philadelphia I believe there may be a “Frankenstein monster deal, which they can complete next month and execute on or before draft night.”