Indiana Pacers: 3 burning questions surrounding Ben Simmons

With Ben Simmons in tow, how will the Indiana Pacers deal with their double big dilemma?

A hypothetical entrance of Ben Simmons in the Circle City will almost immediately force the Indiana Pacers to answer a prompt question. With the 6’11 playmaker’s proven poor fit next to lane-clogging big men, the front office will have to settle their longstanding predicament regarding Turner and Sabonis.

At first glance, Turner’s ability to stretch the defense beyond the three-point line and menacing rim protection provide a perfect fit next to Simmons. Thus, even with an All-Star next to him on the scale, he’s far from a lock as a collateral damage from the trade.

On the other hand, Sabonis’ post proficiency is essentially a rewind of Simmons and Embiid’s awkward fit in the half-court. While the two-time All-Star could very well develop his perimeter stroke under five-out savant Rick Carlisle, his other selling points, such as his flashy playmaking from the center position and inside scoring, pose more overlaps than complements for Simmons.

Ultimately, what could dictate the Pacers in answering their double big dilemma may be which of the two can fetch them better fitting players and assets in return. Sabonis is the easy answer, but not a lot of teams in the league have a pressing need for an offensive-minded star who doesn’t do much on defense, especially in the early margins of the season.