3 low-risk players the Spurs could replace Chris Paul with by the trade deadline

Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons is one of the most polarizing players in the NBA. Partly because he hasn't actually been playing for a while now. Simmons has had one of the oddest careers in recent memories. He was drafted number one overall, won Rookie of the Year, and was being compared to LeBron James. He's a three-time all-star, and yet he seems to be cursed at the age of 28, as he's been oft-injured in recent years.

He'll always have to deal with the infamous playoff snafu against Atlanta when he was a member of the 76ers, but that just means his redemption story could be that much greater. Simmons' agent believes that he's "100 percent of himself ready to go.” If that's the case, fans could see the LSU Tiger return to elite defensive form. At 6'10", he's always had amazing court vision, but his defensive impact was so good that he made the NBA All-Defense team twice. He can't shoot but he could still be useful.

Simmons is owed $40 million this season, but it's the final year of his deal. After so many injuries, the Spurs would likely be able to re-sign him to a more affordable deal if he fits with the team. If not, they clear a ton of money from the books by letting him walk and are still poised to make noise in the 2025 offseason. No harm, no foul.