Ben Simmons Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Fischer’s Latest: Simmons, Beal, J. Richardson, Jazz, Kemba

July 27th, 2021 at 10:50am CST by Luke Adams

Having claimed earlier in the week that the Sixers hadn’t really been able to get in touch with Ben Simmons this offseason, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report clarifies in his latest article that the team’s brass has maintained contact with Simmons and his representatives. However, the 76ers have been “unable to collaborate” so far on a summer development plan for the former No. 1 pick.

Although league executives who have spoken to Fischer speculate that the Sixers may try to hang onto Simmons in the hopes that Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard will eventually ask out of Portland, the “overwhelming” expectation is that Simmons will be dealt before the start of the 2021/22 season. Of the early discussions Philadelphia has had about the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, talks with the Raptors are thought to be the most advanced, Fischer adds.

Here’s more from Fischer:

As Bradley Beal continues to weigh his future with the Wizards, there’s a growing expectation around the league that the All-Star guard might still decide he wants to stay in D.C., says Fischer.
The Mavericks have explored trade scenarios involving Josh Richardson, according to Fischer. Richardson still has to make a decision on his $11.6MM player option for 2021/22, but if he opts in, his expiring contract represents a logical trade chip if Dallas wants the flexibility to make a run at a top free agent.
After previously identifying Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Ingles, and Royce O’Neale as potential trade candidates if the Jazz look to trim team salary, Fischer now says O’Neale is likely to stick around, but Bogdanovic and/or Ingles could still be moved. Utah has also explored the possibility of trading Derrick Favors along with the No. 30 pick, Fischer adds.
The Thunder‘s front office believes it should be able to flip Kemba Walker for assets this summer if his medicals are good, according to Fischer (Twitter link). Walker’s contract, which has two years and $73.7MM left on it, isn’t favorable, so Oklahoma City would likely need to take on an equally bad deal – or multiple unwanted contracts – in order to acquire assets with positive value.

Latest On Ben Simmons

July 26th, 2021 at 4:23pm CST by Luke Adams

League sources that have spoken to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer believe a Ben Simmons trade is “inevitable.” However, the exact timeline for a deal remains unclear. According to Pompey, several sources believe it might not happen until the preseason.

One source tells Pompey that there are more teams with interest in Simmons than have been reported, since this year’s free agent class isn’t particularly strong. The Sixers‘ asking price remains high though, so it remains to be seen whether any suitors will meet that price or whether Philadelphia will have to lower it.

The 76ers have suggested publicly and privately that they’re prepared to move forward with Simmons if they don’t get an offer they like, and they previously expressed a desire to work with him this summer to improve his shot and expand his game.

However, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report said during an appearance on The Gastroenteritis Blues podcast that the team hasn’t really been able to get in touch with Simmons since the end of the season.

“There was an intent to have a workout plan or whatever – like in any offseason. And that’s always kind of been the case, that the Sixers haven’t really been able to align with a development plan,” Fischer said, per NBC Sports. “That’s kind of what Yaron Weitzman wrote at Fox Sports wrote in that big story, right? It just doesn’t sound like there’s ever really been movement to come together on the same page to do that, and it hasn’t really worked this summer either.

“So, I think that’s not something that is an encouraging sign for him being in Philadelphia in the future.”

Woj’s Latest: Kawhi, Simmons, Schröder, Kings, Lowry, Nets, More

July 26th, 2021 at 10:51am CST by Luke Adams

There’s no indication that Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard wants to leave Los Angeles as a free agent this offseason, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said in Sunday’s televised Woj & Lowe special (video link). However, there is a belief that Leonard is at risk of missing the entire 2021/22 season following his ACL surgery earlier this month, says Wojnarowski.

That nugget was one of several that Wojnarowski and fellow ESPN reporter Zach Lowe shared during their half-hour special and the bonus YouTube segments that followed. We’ve already passed along several of their other insights, including some draft-related rumors, the latest updates on Bradley Beal‘s status, and the fact that the Lakers have shopped Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to many teams around the NBA.

However, the ESPN duo dropped several more notes and rumors during their special. We’re using the space below to round up a few of the most interesting ones:

The Sixers have engaged in Ben Simmons trade talks and are making and receiving offers, says Wojnarowski (video link). However, Woj thinks Philadelphia will be patient, noting that Simmons is under contract for four more years, which “opens up the landscape” for possible trade partners. The 76ers are looking for the best possible player they could get back in a Simmons deal, Woj adds.
Despite the fact that the Lakers have been linked to so many other point guards in advance of free agency, Wojnarowski believes there’s still a deal to be made with Dennis Schröder (video link).
The Kings have talked to teams in both the West and East about Buddy Hield, according to Wojnarowski (video link), who says the club has also received plenty of trade interest in Harrison Barnes. Woj would be surprised if Barnes is dealt though.
In a discussion of free agent point guards, Wojnarowski (video link) said that he anticipates a “big market” for Raptors star Kyle Lowry, who could receive offers in the neighborhood of $25-30MM per year, and that the Bulls and Lonzo Ball would be an ideal match in a perfect world, but his restricted FA status could complicate matters. Woj also thinks luxury tax concerns will prevent the Jazz from simply re-signing Mike Conley and keeping everyone else on their roster (video link).
The Nets hope to lock up Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden to contract extensions and are optimistic that Blake Griffin will want to return, per Wojnarowski (video link). Jeff Green may be trickier to re-sign, however, as he’ll likely seek more than the veteran’s minimum. Woj and Lowe both identify the Bucks as a possible suitor for Green if he leaves Brooklyn.

Latest On Bradley Beal

July 26th, 2021 at 8:43am CST by Luke Adams

Despite a pair of weekend reports suggesting that Wizards guard Bradley Beal is contemplating his future with the franchise, he has not yet requested a trade, according to multiple reports.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (video link) said on the Woj & Lowe special on ESPN on Sunday that Beal hasn’t asked the Wizards to be dealt; Fred Katz of The Athletic says there hasn’t been a demand, a request, or even a “timid suggestion” for a trade; and Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington writes that the All-NBA guard has remained in contact with the Wizards’ front office and has given the team no signs that he’s unhappy.

Previous reports from Bleacher Report and The Athletic suggested that Beal might make a decision on whether he wants to remain in D.C. before Thursday’s draft. A trade would be easier to put together before that draft, since it would allow potential suitors to offer 2021 picks and give the Wizards the opportunity to select the players they want with those picks.

However, Hughes cites one source who pushed back on the idea that Washington needs to decide its course within the next four days, pointing out that Beal is under contract next season and not every trade offer would center around 2021 draft picks.

One team whose offer would be heavy on 2021 picks is Golden State, and Wojnarowski (video link) views Beal as the primary target for the Warriors, who don’t seem inclined to get too involved in the Ben Simmons sweepstakes. If Beal isn’t made available via trade, Wojnarowski expects the Warriors to use their picks at No. 7 and No. 14 this Thursday.

Of course, even if Beal is available, there will be other teams in the mix besides Golden State, as ESPN’s Zach Lowe observes (video link). Lowe believes the Wizards would seek more than Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, and the Nos. 7 and 14 picks from Golden State in any Beal deal, suggesting that Washington would likely also ask for the Warriors’ 2026 first-rounder and a pick swap or two.

Here’s more on Beal:

Beal has always looked for reasons to stay in D.C. rather than to leave, according to Wojnarowski. “He loves that organization,” Woj said. “He loves that city.”
While the Wizards said Beal would have a say in the team’s head coaching search this offseason, the star guard was a little frustrated that his top pick for the job – Sixers assistant Sam Cassell – didn’t get a second interview, sources tell Katz. It’s unclear, however, if that will be a major factor in Beal’s decision on his future.
If Beal does request a trade, the Sixers, Heat, and Hawks are among the teams that could join the Warriors in the bidding, sources tell Katz. Hughes, meanwhile, suggests that the Warriors, Heat, Celtics, Trail Blazers, Lakers, and Mavericks are some of the clubs that would likely intrigue Beal.
The Thunder have made it known around the NBA that they’d be interested in participating in a Beal trade as a third team, according to Hughes.
The Wizards haven’t received any indication that their other star guard – Russell Westbrook – wants out of Washington, a team source tells Hughes.

Fischer’s Latest: Simmons, Lillard, Warriors, Ingles, Draft Deals, More

July 25th, 2021 at 11:57am CST by Arthur Hill

There has been little movement on the Ben Simmons situation, as none of the interested teams are offering an All-Star level player to the Sixers in return, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. He adds that many observers believe president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is waiting for Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard to return from the Olympics to see if he makes a trade request.

The Cavaliers, Pacers, Timberwolves, Kings and Raptors have all shown interest in trading for Simmons, sources tell Fischer. Executives from several of those teams said they view him as a play-making forward, rather than a point guard as he has been used in Philadelphia.

Simmons remains under contract for four more seasons, so there’s no urgency for the Sixers to make a move right away. Still, the “overwhelming expectation” across the league is that he will be traded during the offseason after struggling with his shot during the playoffs.

Fischer shares more inside information from around the NBA:

The Warriors would like to swap their two lottery picks for veteran help, but president of basketball operations Bob Myers isn’t finding many impact players available on the trade market. The Jazz could emerge as a possibility, Fischer adds, as Utah is hoping to shed some salary before re-signing point guard Mike Conley. Joe Ingles might be moved in such a deal, and Bojan Bogdanovic and Royce O’Neale are also possibilities.
The Kings, who hold the No. 9 pick in Thursday’s draft, may be the highest option for teams hoping to trade into the lottery. Sacramento and the Pelicans, who have the 10th selection, have been active in trade talks involving those picks, sources tell Fischer, as both teams are looking for veterans who will give them a better chance to make the playoffs next season. New Orleans, which is hoping to unload Eric Bledsoe‘s salary, has talked to the Grizzlies about a deal that would send the veteran guard and the No. 10 pick to Memphis in exchange for the 17th choice.
The Hornets at No. 11 and the Pacers at No. 13 may also make their picks available. Fischer confirms that Indiana has talked to the Rockets about a deal involving Eric Gordon and the 23rd pick, and Myles Turner is believed to be on the trade market as well.

Warriors Notes: Myers, Simmons, Giddey, Kuminga

July 24th, 2021 at 6:45pm CST by Arthur Hill

Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers is running low on time to put together a difference-making trade before Thursday’s draft, writes Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle. The team’s stars are urging Myers to swap his lottery picks at Nos. 7 and 14 to add another veteran, but Letourneau points out that the chances of a deal getting done will drop significantly if the framework isn’t in place by the time the Warriors are on the clock.

Myers has been searching for a major acquisition since Golden State was knocked out of the play-in tournament, but many of the names that have been linked to the Warriors, such as Myles Turner, Pascal Siakam, Ben Simmons, Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard, would require a huge return that may include James Wiseman and Andrew Wiggins along with the picks. Letourneau notes that any team trading with Myers would want a say in who gets taken with the two lottery selections, so there’s an urgency to get a deal worked out before the draft begins.

There’s more on the Warriors:

Simmons can probably be crossed off Golden State’s list, Letourneau adds. The Sixers want an All-Star player in return for the 25-year-old, and a source says the Warriors aren’t willing to meet Philadelphia’s price.
Being drafted by Golden State would be an ideal situation, Australian guard Josh Giddey tells Jason Dumas of KRON4 (video link). “Playing with guys like (Stephen Curry) and Klay (Thompson) who are so good without the ball and moving without it, for a passer like myself I think it’s a dream world,” Giddey said. “To be around those guys — the veterans — and to learn from two of the best guards of all time would be such a bonus, and obviously Draymond (Green) is known for being a high-level leader and then under Steve Kerr’s coaching system there is just so many good things about the Warriors.”
The Warriors hosted Jonathan Kuminga Friday in Miami for a private workout and dinner, tweets Jonathan Givony of ESPN. The G League Ignite forward has met with every team holding the third through eighth picks. Golden State officials also watched Alperen Sengun work out in Miami, a source tells Givony (Twitter link). The Turkish center is considered a possible candidate to be taken at No. 14.

Atlantic Notes: Siakam, Raptors, Simmons, Knicks’ Draft

July 24th, 2021 at 5:40pm CST by Arthur Hill

Sources around the league believe the Raptors will make Pascal Siakam available in trade talks this summer, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. The 27-year-old power forward averaged 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists this season and has emerged as one of the team leaders since Kawhi Leonard left in free agency two years ago. He is under contract for three more years at $33MM, $35.4MM and $37.9MM.

Toronto has been among the NBA’s most active teams in trade discussions leading up to the draft, Fischer adds, and is exploring a wide variety of options that include trying to trade the No. 4 pick for an All-Star or trading back for future draft picks to rebuild in case they can’t re-sign Kyle Lowry.

There’s more from the Atlantic Division:

The Raptors remain interested in acquiring Ben Simmons from the Sixers, states Marc Stein (hat tip to Tim Daniels of Bleacher Report). Appearing Friday on Chad Ford’s podcast, Stein said Toronto would like to add the three-time All-Star, but the 76ers’ asking price is still very high.
The Sixers haven’t been impressed by the offers they’ve received for Simmons so far, writes Justin Grasso of Sports Illustrated. Philadelphia wants an All-Star player in his prime and no teams are offering that.
Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic examines seven draft prospects the Knicks might consider with the 19th and 21st picks. The names include Kentucky’s Isaiah Jackson, Virginia’s Trey Murphy III, Florida’s Tre Mann, Tennessee’s Jaden Springer, Oregon’s Chris Duarte, West Virginia’s Miles McBride and Auburn’s Sharife Cooper.

Sixers Likely To Trade No. 28 Pick?

July 23rd, 2021 at 3:06pm CST by Luke Adams

The Sixers have had discussions about moving the No. 28 pick in the 2021 NBA draft and are open to trading that selection in a deal for future assets or a veteran contributor, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com, who first reported that the 76ers were exploring trading their first-round selection, hears from a source that there’s a “very good chance” the pick is on the move on or before draft night. Philadelphia’s goal, Neubeck notes, is to add another starter-level player to its rotation, so even if the team trades No. 28 for future assets, it may look to flip those assets for a veteran.

Although the Sixers could be a taxpayer in 2021/22 and the No. 28 pick would give them the opportunity to add an inexpensive young player to the roster, the team feels it doesn’t have a ton of extra “developmental reps” to offer, says Neubeck. Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, Paul Reed, and Isaiah Joe are among the young players who will be competing for rotation minutes next season.

Still, the 76ers continue to take a closer look at players who could be options at No. 28, in case they hang onto the pick. Pompey reports that Arizona State wing Josh Christopher, who ranks 33rd on ESPN’s big board, recently visited and worked out for the team.

If the Sixers do move the No. 28 pick, it won’t necessarily be involved in or related to a Ben Simmons trade, according to Neubeck, who says nothing much has changed on that front.

Philadelphia continues to set a high asking price in discussions involving Simmons and isn’t interested in trading him for a package made up of role players and draft assets. For instance, Neubeck says the Sixers wouldn’t be interested in dealing with the Kings if De’Aaron Fox wasn’t included in Sacramento’s offer. If the 76ers stick to that stance, it’s probably safe to assume Simmons won’t be a King.

Blazers Rumors: McCollum, Simmons, Lillard, Powell, More

July 22nd, 2021 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Teams are calling the Trail Blazers to inquire on guard CJ McCollum and offering the opportunity for Portland to move into the “top part of the draft,” according to Jason Quick of The Athletic. However, Quick reports that the Blazers aren’t seriously considering those offers, since they’re in win-now mode and are seeking veteran help rather than rookies.

As Quick details, the Blazers are open to a trade that would allow them to acquire an upgrade on McCollum. However, there are no obvious opportunities out there. A swap revolving around McCollum and Ben Simmons has long been the subject of speculation, but Quick suggests the Sixers likely wouldn’t be enticed by such a deal, even if Portland adds a young player like Anfernee Simons or Nassir Little to its offer.

Here’s more on the Blazers from Quick:

Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey has met twice with Damian Lillard since the season ended. They had a three-hour sitdown on June 19 at the team’s practice facility and then met in Las Vegas with new head coach Chauncey Billups last Friday, per Quick. During those meetings, Lillard conveyed his publicly-stated preference that the Blazers act with more urgency in upgrading their roster.
Despite Lillard’s call for urgency, it remains to be seen whether Portland will do anything drastic with its roster this summer. Quick says “there appears to be an inclination to run this group back again” in the hopes that Billups’ influence and a full season of Powell raise the Blazers’ ceiling. Quick acknowledges that exercising patience would be a risky approach, given Lillard’s unease, but points out there are some similarities to 2018, when the club made few roster changes after being swept in the first round and then reached the Western Finals in 2019.
Re-signing Norman Powell is the Blazers’ top priority in free agency. Billups recently met with Powell in Las Vegas and “communicated his vision” to the veteran swingman. The team hopes the hiring of Billups helps convince Powell to remain in Portland.
Olshey recognizes that building a bench led by Carmelo Anthony and Enes Kanter contributed to the team’s defensive shortcomings and will aim to add “long, rangy” players who can guard multiple positions and comfortably switch on defense, according to Quick.
The Blazers will likely try to buy a second-round pick in next Thursday’s draft, says Quick.

Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Miles, Madar, Sixers, Raptors

July 15th, 2021 at 8:27am CST by Luke Adams

The Celtics are set to hire former guard Aaron Miles to their coaching staff, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report (Twitter link).

Miles’ NBA career was brief – he appeared in just 19 games with Golden State back in 2005 – but he spent nearly a decade playing in international leagues before transitioning to coaching in 2015. He was the head coach of the Santa Cruz Warriors from 2017-19 and has spent the last two seasons as a player development coach in Golden State.

New Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is putting together an interesting group of assistants in Boston. His staff will also reportedly include former Spurs assistant Will Hardy and another former NBA guard, Damon Stoudamire.

Here’s more from around the Atlantic:

Israeli guard Yam Madar, who will play for the Celtics‘ Summer League team after being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft, is determined to show Boston he deserves a spot on the club’s regular season roster, as he tells Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Madar technically remains under contract with Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel for another season, so he and the Celtics would have to work out a buyout if he’s going to come stateside for 2021/22.
Rich Hofmann and Derek Bodner of The Athletic take a closer look at the Sixers‘ roster, determining which players are likely to stay and which may be gone by opening night in the fall. Hofmann and Bodner believe the odds of a Ben Simmons offseason trade are higher than 50/50.
In another story for The Athletic, John Hollinger and Eric Koreen discuss the Raptors‘ offseason, exploring the team’s options with the No. 4 pick, whether it makes sense to trade Pascal Siakam, and what free agency will look like for Kyle Lowry and Gary Trent Jr. While Hollinger would have no issue with Toronto drafting Jalen Suggs at No. 4, he suggests the team should look hard at Scottie Barnes and Alperen Sengun and consider the possibility of trading down.