NBA Positional Rankings: Top 10 point guards entering 2021-22

No. 9: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers

2020-21 Stats: 14.3 PPG/7.2 RPG/6.9 APG/1.6 SPG/.557/.300/.613

Alright, alright, settle down. I know. Ben Simmons has been quite the conversation this offseason. Whether it be passing up a dunk in Game 7, rampant trade rumors, or the aforementioned workout videos, Simmons’ name has been in the mouth of pundits more than a few times this summer.

As much as the criticism has gone overboard, it still wasn’t an awesome year for the three-time All-Star. He was under his career averages in points, rebounds, and assists. Shooting development was always going to be slow for Simmons, but it looked as though he had taken a step back (both physically and mentally) in that department. And now, it appears as though he’s planning a full-on Anthony Davis until his trade request is granted.

So why is he No. 9 on this list? Because he was still an All-Star. He was still runner-up to Defensive Player of the Year. He’s still 6-11 and handles the ball like a guard. Those are all very valuable things in the NBA. The warts are there, and they are evident. But any team he’s traded to HAS to have better spacing than the Sixers, right? If he lands in a situation where he’s surrounded by shooting and can be utilized as a small-ball center, I’d bet some money on a big bounce-back season.