On one hand, it’s a surprise, because Simmons had been committed to the Olympic campaign up until this point.
Simmons would have been among the focal points of Brian Goorjian’s preparation for these Games, so now the veteran head coach will have to adjust.
Then, there’s the question surrounding how the Australian men’s national team’s famous culture and camaraderie is carried forward without its assumed centrepiece.
But, that’s where the Boomers are fortunate.
The original, extended Boomers squad was 24 deep, then it rose to 25, then down to 19.
Simmons is now out, while Isaac Humphries also withdrew.
As of now, the only players from the 16-man squad not at camp are Chris Goulding and Jock Landale – both of whom just won an NBL title; they’ll soon be en route to the U.S.
The squad of 16 will be cut down to 15 – the team of 12, plus three replacement players – in early July, ahead of the official Boomers pre-Olympic camp in Las Vegas.
Let’s get the assumed locks out of the way.
Simmons would’ve been that unique player who would be a valuable ball-handler, while also being able to effectively play all five positions – particularly both frontcourt spots – in the FIBA style of play.
With no Simmons, and no Humphries, one name that’s suddenly becoming more intriguing is Duop Reath.
A similar argument can be made for Brock Motum, who’s exclusively a four-man at this level, but has great size and has entered camp as one of the squad’s better three-point shooters.
There’s also definitely a spot in the final 12 for one or two of Kay, Cooks, and Creek, all of whom have complementary skillsets to the established core.
Giddey is the obvious look toward the future – Green is in that conversation, too; see below – but Exum, because we’re assuming he’s healthy, is that big, defensively versatile, multi-positional guard that could play a big role for Australia.
Exum played just six games this past NBA season – just 24 the season before that, and 11 the season before that – so there are obvious question marks, but those sorts of concerns also surround Dellavedova, so they could effectively act as insurance for each other.
The Boomers tradition could then be carried forward, and the team would enter the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics with a new core that has valuable experience, and maybe a medal, in their pocket.
The plan to pass the torch is still happening, but the recipient has changed.
Both are versatile guards, one was a first-round pick last season and the other will be when this next NBA Draft comes around, and they’ve each shown a clear commitment to the Boomers.