Nba Prediction

The atlanta hawks will trade for ben simmons. 

I believe it is very likely that the nets make a deal with the heat before the season starts. The nets want bam and everything the heat have to offer. I do not think the nets want to go into this season with kd and kyrie and would much prefer to hit the reset button but only if they get the proper value. Miami has the leverage but if they wait until the season starts and the nets are a top team then they lose a lot of that leverage. They also run the risk of he nets waiting on the suns and ayton being tradeable or a dark horse swooping in as cleveland did with donovan. They call pat riley the godfather for a reason and he is not going to pass up on a chance to bring durant to miami. The nets also want this done before the season so they can trade kyrie for the lakers 2 first rounders: Kyrie has little to no trade value mid season when everyone expects him to sign with la in the offseason. The nets are highly incentivised to make this deal before the season starts. Finally we get to atl and the nets needing to get off simmons in order to get bam. Hawks were one of the main suitors when philly looked to trade  simmons and offered collins bogdanovic and 3 picks. They want him badly and likely believe putting him in the pick and roll with trae would be unstoppable. He would be traes draymond. They also need a large wing defender for giannis, tatum and durant. Their Gm landry fields has been open about wanting to make roster changes this offseason. They offer okungwu in the spurs trade instead of a first rounder but the spurssaid no. You only get off ur 21 year old number 6 pick who has promise because u have a move in mind. They also traded huerter for a pick and expiring smaller salaries that make a trade easier. All signs point to atl gearing up to make a big move. They also have collins as a trade asset that brooklyn is interested in. Atl will have competitionfrom a few other teams like portland, sac and indiana but indiana and sac seem much less likely than they did a year ago. Atl has a great chance to facilite a nets heat trade and get simmons on a discount. Despite all the hate he is a top 5 defender and an elite passer. On atl he wld not be asked to do anything more than what hes great at. 
Ps. If they get simmons on enough of a discount they might still have the assets to flip capela and x for ayton come Jan 15th.

HAWKS to win championship

+5000

Hawks to win Eastern Conference

+ 2500

@Everyman

That would at least explain the Kevin Herter (sp.) giveaway to Sacramento

@Everyman

 But in my opinion NOBODY wants headcase simmons.

@stevenp

 That just means they get him at a big discount when they were willing to give up everything for him 6 months ago. They  wouldve given up more than they gave for dejounte which speaks to how much they value him. If it happens the Hawks will be cast as the young villans throughout the season. Trae and dejounte love to trash talk and simmons might be the most disliked player in the league.