Former NBA champion makes a bold prediction about Ben Simmons

Everybody in the NBA seems to be talking about Ben Simmons right now. The former first-overall pick has made it clear that he doesn’t intend to go back to the Philadelphia 76ers, further sinking his trade value.

Simmons is one of the most talented and unique players in the league, so that’s not the issue with him. Then again, his attitude, lack of development as a shooter, and how vocal he’s been regarding his desire to leave have made teams unwilling to meet Daryl Morey’s steep price for him.

But, if you were to ask former NBA champion Metta Sandiford-Artest — formerly known as Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, and Panda Friend; all teams should go the distance to try and make a run at him because he’ll be an MVP candidate.

Metta Sandiford-Artest Says Ben Simmons Will Be An MVP And NBA Champion

“You don’t become third-team [All-NBA] in 2020, and then in 2021 and 2022, you become worse,” the former NBA championtold TMZ. “This kid is gonna be an MVP candidate. The thing about it is, just because he’s a superstar doesn’t mean he needs to be a shooter. Gary Payton was starting to shoot the ball late in his career. You look at guys like Jason Kidd, [he was] just like Ben Simmons. Later in his career, Jason Kidd became an all-time great 3-point shooter. … Remember when Jason Kidd couldn’t shoot?

“Never will we let our close alumni of elite defenders be disrespected; there’s only a few of us, and Ben Simmons is one of us. And we will not let him go down and be disrespected. He will be an MVP candidate, and he will be second-team All-NBA; he will be a champion, hopefully in Philly with my good brother Elton Brand,” Sandiford added.

Metta has a strong point in terms of Simmons’ defensive prowess and how other players developed a jump shot later in their careers. But whether Ben will be willing to put in that kind of work is yet to be seen.