Minnesota Timberwolves dodged a bullet in avoiding Ben Simmons saga

Timberwolves rumored interest in Ben Simmons

Nearly a year ago (well, 10 months to be exact), we were onboard that Ben Simmons bus. We were the only ones? I believe that we were simply the tip of the iceberg to make that sudden drastic move that would instantly transform the Timberwolves from a team that was stuck between good and not-so-good oscillations.

Simmons, to the typical Timberwolves fan, offered the key elements that seemed to be lacking in the team. Defense at the perimeter and at the basket, a field general who could amplify the offensive firepower on the court, another big to help Karl-Anthony Towns, and most of all, a facilitator to direct traffic and get the most out of the Minnesota Timberwolves with each time they handled the basketball.

So as we said all those months ago, just how badly did the Timberwolves want Ben Simmons? Badly.

In the end, it was a mirage. A dweomer that manifested in what we all wanted to see, rather than what was truly there.  If Simmons is truly capable of coming back to play professional basketball, the melodramatic series of events over the past year has turned the interest of many NBA fans into apathy.  And still, the struggle continues.

In the end, the Timberwolves are a far stronger team for not having pursued trading for Ben Simmons. While we can debate what it will take the team to improve from here, it seems a bit obvious (am I too certain?) that trading so much for Ben Simmons would certainly dim what appears to be a much brighter future for the franchise.

Sometimes the team gets it right, and we get it wrong. Thankfully, this is one of those times.