Simmons, who already missed several games this season because of a back injury, has missed the past three games due to a left upper lateral calf strain on top of experiencing some knee soreness. He first felt irritation in his calf on Nov.27 when Brooklyn took on the Portland Trail Blazers and later felt it again on Nov.28 against the Orlando Magic.

The only difference between these two games was Simmons asking to come out after playing 11 minutes in the matchup with Orlando and didn’t return. The Nets forward logged 34 minutes versus Portland despite experiencing discomfort in his calf. Since being sidelined, the 26-year-old has progressed his calf and knee. He has reached a point where he is now excited to be where he is in the recovery.

“I’m excited where I’m at right now,” Simmons said after practice on Tuesday with the Nets. “So I’m looking for Friday to get back on the court – It’s a lot of load for coming back from a back injury and then also the knee, so I’m glad I had this time to build some muscle around it, and we’ll work on it.”

The three-time All-Star continued to touch on how the back surgery he had over the summer may be related to his recent injuries on his knee and calf. 

“I think it’s all related,” Simmons said. “When you start talking about back injuries, you start using different muscles; you want to load and lean or whatever it is. I think they all relate in some aspect.”

Moving forward, Simmons plans on being more careful with his minutes. Whether or not he can play both games during back-to-backs is now in question.

“I think we’re definitely going to look at it a lot different,” Simmons said. “I don’t know if it’s measuring minutes, maybe not back-to-backs, whatever it is. I think that’s going to be a joint thing with the training staff and myself and letting them know how I’m feeling.”

So far this year, Simmons is averaging a career-low 8.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. Brooklyn (13-12) currently sits sixth in the Eastern Conference. If this team looks to reach its full potential down the line, they are definitely going to need Simmons.

The Nets will take on the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday in their next game.

The post Ben Simmons Hopeful to Return On Friday Against the Atlanta Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

Following a Tuesday morning shootaround, Simmons said it “feels good to be back” at Wells Fargo Center and that he’s “locked-in” and “ready to play” against the 76ers.

Ben Simmons following this morning’s #BrooklynNets shootaround at the Wells Fargo Center: “It feels good to be back. It does feel good to be back. I’m ready to go, locked-in. So I’m ready to play.”

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 22, 2022

The Nets (8-9) head to Philly carrying a consecutive win streak after beating the Trail Blazers and Grizzlies. Simmons goes into the game carrying significant baggage from his last year, where he sat out the season due to mental health on top of public concerns about his lack of aggression. After he was traded to the Nets, Simmons sat out the rest of the regular-season and playoffs due to a back injury that ultimately required surgery in May.

When asked about the prospect of his return being anti-climatic due to Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and James Harden not playing, Simmons said that “the fans will make up for it” and that he knows his first game in Wells Fargo Center out of a Philly uniform will be filled with a lot of boos

“Yeah, so I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be fun.”

Ben Simmons on if his return to Philly is anti-climatic with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and James Harden not playing for the #Sixers: “I mean the fans will make up for it. Yeah, so I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be fun.”
Simmons knows he’ll hear a lot of boos.

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 22, 2022

Philly-Brooklyn takes place at 7:30, with TNT showcasing the game.

The post Ben Simmons: 76ers Reunion Game Is ‘Going to be Fun’ appeared first on SLAM.

The former Duke Blue Devil scored 14 points on 5-12 shooting from the field (2-5 from beyond the arc) and grabbed four rebounds. He also finished the night with a +/- of +16. Postgame, Irving said “it felt good” to come back and play with his teammates after missing the last two weeks of action after he posted a controversial movie filled with antisemitic messaging.

“It felt good,” Irving said, per ESPN. “It felt good. I missed my teammates, missed the coaching staff. It felt good to get this game out of the way. Now we can move forward with the rest of the season.”

Defense Offense pic.twitter.com/xOUWOFLWAC

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 21, 2022

When Irving was asked about some of the outside noise coming into the game, including if he would file a grievance regarding his future, Irving said that he was “here to focus on the game” and that he would leave the matter of filing a grievance up to his legal team. Irving serves as a vice president on the players union’s leadership team.

Nets owner Joe Tsai suspended Irving for at least four games after Irving dismissed concerns that the film was anti-semitic, didn’t apologize, or clarify that he was against antisemitism. Irving apologized the same night Tsai suspended him. Tsai later drew criticism after multiple reports came out detailing the six requirements he needed to see Irving fill before he returned. He was further scrutinized when he said Irving “still has work to do.”

Former teammates Jaylen Brown and LeBron James labeled the requirements and comments as “alarming” and “excessive.” Brown later said that Tsia and society had more work to do, and James said that Irving “should be able to play” after he apologized.

That hangtime though pic.twitter.com/WVPH3fg7uL

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 21, 2022

Regarding the game itself, Irving’s teammates and coaches were happy to have the 30-year-old back on the court. Kevin Durant said the Nets “just want to keep stacking up good days, see what happens.”

“It’s always nice to just focus on the game,” Durant said. “We understand the circumstances around our game now. Our league is getting bigger; there’s so much attention on it, so every little thing might get blown up nowadays; so as much as we can just focus on playing ball and keep growing as a team, I think our fans can get behind that. I think you guys will get behind that as well. So we just want to keep stacking up good days, see what happens.”

Ben Simmons said Irving’s talent makes it “easy to play with him.”

“It’s Kyrie; he’s so talented,” Simmons said. “Obviously, he’s working on the handle again, trying to get a feel for the ball, but he’s so talented it’s easy to play with him.”

Brooklyn will be back in action on Tuesday when they play the 76ers on the road.

The post Kyrie Irving Set to ‘Move Forward’ From 8-Game Suspension appeared first on SLAM.

The former No. 1 overall pick out of LSU nearly dropped a triple-double after scoring 15 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and passing seven assists in 32 minutes of action. It was the kind of performance that led to Kevin Durant (35 points and eight rebounds on 13-22 shooting from the field and 1-4 shooting from beyond the arc) calling him “incredible” after his best performance of the young season.

“I’m just happy for him because he’s been trying to get his form back,” Durant said, per ESPN. “Trying to figure his rhythm out. Tonight I think he did a good job just talking up, commanding the offense, commanding the team on the defensive side of the ball. He was incredible tonight. So we’re going to keep building on that, and hopefully, we’re able to get this next one, but he controlled the game and was able to get us back into it.”

File this under things you love to see pic.twitter.com/4kYbg20tfZ

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 18, 2022

Simmons was already riding high after posting an 11/5/3 outing against the Kings. Just two days later, Simmons was able to follow that up by taking his game to another level as he attacked the rim frequently and showed no hesitation when the Blazers sent him to the line when they deployed a “Hack-a-Ben” strategy in the final minutes of their eventual loss.

Simmons went 3-4 from the line down the stretch and played at a level that the Nets were hopeful they’d get out of the gates when they traded for him at last season’s February trade deadline.

“I love those moments,” Simmons said. “I’m not going to shy away. That was their plan. Obviously, it didn’t work. We were able to convert a couple free throws, get some stops. Just keep building. I like those moments.”

Another KD/Ben connection pic.twitter.com/Ll7TTmdoNp

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 18, 2022

Head coach Jacque Vaughn said Simmons’ out was “very encouraging” after he played a season-high 32 minutes, the most he’s played in November. Vaughn also praised Simmons’ ability to guard Jusuf Nurkic and Damian Lillard and said that Brooklyn “envisioned him doing everything for us.” Vaughn attributed Simmons’ strong performance to “just feeling good” from missing the last five games due to a swollen left knee.

Simmons and the Nets will look to keep the good vibes going and win their third game in a row against the Grizzlies on Sunday.

“I’m coming,” Simmons said. “I’m getting there, man. It’s taking a little bit of time, but I got my own back. My teammates got my back, my coaches.”

The post Kevin Durant Calls Ben Simmons ‘Incredible’ After Season-High Outing appeared first on SLAM.

Sacramento shot 10-12 during their game-deciding blitz late in the first half. They also hit 6-6 inside and three-point arc while forcing the Nets into 1-11 shooting and 1-8 in the paint during Sacramento’s decisive run. The Kings entered Tuesday winners of six of their last eight contests.

“S—t, we got smacked. They were better offensively and defensively. They played as a team (for) four quarters,” Ben Simmons said, per the New York Post. ” They just played better than us — They wanted it more. Obviously, we didn’t want it.”

Finishing through contact pic.twitter.com/YCfv4P5a9k

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 16, 2022

Simmons recorded 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 5-7 shooting from the field. The output is the most he’s scored since June 14, 2021. When Brooklyn traded for the LSU product at last season’s trade deadline, they hoped the three-time All-Star would solve their defensive woes as a two-way menace.

So far, Simmons has averaged a career-low 5.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 rebounds per game on 48.1 percent shooting from the field. As a defense, Brooklyn ranks 23rd in the League with a 112.7 defensive rating.

Some of their woes may be attributed to Simmons’ lack of aggression and availability. According to Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Nets have reportedly grown frustrated with Simmons’ health and level of play. Simmons missed the last eight days after he got his left knee drained because of fluid build-up. The one-time steal champ acknowledged that criticism but reiterated that his injury concerns are “a real thing.

“You’re obviously not gonna be happy when anybody’s out,” Simmons told The Athletic, “But for me, I’ve been dealing with the knee since the start of the season. It’s been swollen. I had PRP (injections). I had blood rained a couple (of) times. So it’s not a made up thing, you know” It’s a real thing.

“I get (the skepticism), but I think the one thing with me is that I’m a competitor. I want to win and play. So I’m gonna do what I can to get out there.”

pic.twitter.com/arDyDHwatw

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 16, 2022

It’s been a tough two years for Simmons, who’s had to battle criticism about his lack of aggression and mental health. He noted that his back problems started on Fed. 22, 2020, against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he said he went to the hospital because he was in so much pain.

Simmons said his latest injury had required near-constant care while his back has vastly improved. He’s said that he’s “on full overload with treatment” and is doing “everything I need to do to stay out there, “like “spending more time on the table,” and when he’s away from the facility, he makes sure that he’s keeping his leg up and “icing, doing whatever I need to do — sleeping.”

Simmons and the Nets will have a chance to avenge their blowout loss with a road game against the Trail Blazers.

The post Ben Simmons On His Recurring Knee Injury: ‘It’s Not a Made-Up Thing appeared first on SLAM.

From the slow 4-6 record to start the season to their decision to part ways with former coach Steve Nash and now dealing with the suspension/backlash following Kyrie Irving’s controversial social media posting of a film with anti-Semitic messaging, the Nets are in desperate need of some good news right now.

Lucky for Nets fans, they just may have gotten some much-needed sunlight. In a recent report per The New York Post, All-Star guard Ben Simmon’s injury status has been changed from “out” to “available” for tonight’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Simmons said he “feels great” and will play a limited amount of about 20 minutes tonight against Luka Doncic and the Mavs.

Simmons has missed the Nets’ last four games with a sore left knee and did not travel with the team on their recent road games in Charlotte or Washington. Luckily for Simmons and the Nets, it does not seem like the knee was a severe danger. The MRI came back clean and revealed some swelling that Simmons had drained.

With Irving suspended, for the time being, this Dallas game seems like the perfect opportunity for Simmons to maybe take over and play a point-forward role as he did with the Philadelphia 76ers. We all know how special and gifted a player Simmons can be with the ball in his hands, and with Kevin Durant (who has been on an absolute tear as of late) on the wing, the two could make an unstoppable 1-2 combo.

It will be exciting to see how interim coach Jacque Vaughn utilizes Simmons tonight in this matchup. Doncic has been scorching hot in every game he has played this year. Doncic comes into this Nets game averaging 36.0 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists.

It will take a lot to slow this Maverick’s team down; however, the Nets are riding a two-game win streak, so hopefully, we will see some of the recently developed momentum carry over into tonight.

The post Ben Simmons ‘Feels Great’ and Plans to Play Against Dallas After Missing Four Games Due to Knee Soreness appeared first on SLAM.

Nash spent two full seasons with the team and reached the playoffs on both occasions, one of which featured a classic seven game series against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.

This season, the Nets’ elite scoring duo of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant returned after several speculations of them leaving circulated during the off-season. Then there’s the return of a healthy Ben Simmons, who had not played last season due to reported mental health concerns and severe back pain.

After news had broke out that the Nets had fired Nash, Nash took to Twitter to release a statement thanking ownership and the fanbase for putting trust in him to lead the group. Read his latest statement below.

The Nets have reportedly decided to have interim head coach Jacque Vaughn lead tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

The post ‘Thank You, Brooklyn’: Read Steve Nash’s Statement After Nets Departure appeared first on SLAM.

The injury happened in Charlotte and started a wild string of injuries for the Nets.

Before Dinwiddie was injured, numerous trade rumors were swirling around involving Dinwiddie and eventual-now-former Net James Harden. If Dinwiddie had not gotten hurt, then there is a huge chance he might have been involved in a trade deal for Harden. Had Dinwiddie stayed in Brooklyn, he would have played a significant role as the primary point guard because of the vaccination rules situation with Kyrie Irving.

Due to the injury, Dinwiddie was traded as part of a 5-team sign-and-trade that dealt him to the Washington Wizards.

Let it fly pic.twitter.com/W3U2W50lL6

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 26, 2022

Dinwiddie was always a media favorite during his time as a Net. After the Maverick’s win against the Nets Thursday night, Dinwiddie was asked if he ever thought about how his career would look if his time in Brooklyn never ended on an ACL tear.

“I don’t know if the trade still happens or not or if I’m in it,” Dinwiddie said per The Athletic. “Regardless of whether it happens or not, I believe the Nets are a championship team. Just because if you look how close that team was, we were steamrolling people before I got hurt. Even if they make the trade and I’m in it, that means they probably get to keep one of Caris (LeVert) or Jarrett (Allen), which obviously really would have been needed. Or I’m not in it; it means I’m still here, and I’m with Harden. So either way you slice it, all three of those scenarios, the team probably wins the championship.”

The Nets would definitely benefit from an energetic rim protector like Jarrett Allen right now, who has emerged as an All-Star center since signing a five-year deal worth $100 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Though Nets coach Steve Nash said a while ago, he wasn’t sure the team would have been able to offer Allen the five-year, $100 million contract he got from the Cavs. Ironically since all this, Allen and Caris LeVert have reunited and are once again on this year’s Cavs squad.

One thing is for sure; both guys are currently making huge differences for their respective teams. It is still early in the season, so there is still a ton of optimism for Net’s fans that the team will be able to turn things around. The team, without question, has enough talent to make a deep playoff run with a lineup headlined by Irving, Kevin Durant, Patty Mills, and Ben Simmons.

Just need to give them some time and let the chemistry develop because they still have a long season ahead.

The post Spencer Dinwiddie Opens Up About Getting Traded After His Knee Injury appeared first on SLAM.

During Brooklyn’s loss to the Bucks, 110-99, Kyrie Irving took that message to another level while defending his teammate.

he’s improvising out there pic.twitter.com/bRoImkSLgv

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 22, 2022

When Irving sliced through the lane and set Simmons up for a layup deep in the paint, Simmons instead passed the ball back to Kevin Durant, who was standing behind the three-point line. On-court mics caught Irving saying, “shoot it, Ben!” Postgame, Irving elaborated on his plea for Simmons to shoot the ball at that moment.

“When I passed it to him, I felt like he had a layup at the rim,” Irving said, per ESPN. “And I looked him eye to eye, and I was like, “Shoot it, Ben!” And, of course, again, it’s just a clip. It’s a full game that we can look at and dissect, and that’s what I’ll do. This is a big-picture thing. We want Ben to be aggressive every single play, we want him to get an assist every single play, we want him to rebound, we want him to play against the best player, we want him to do all the things we know he’s capable of, but at this time he’s going to have to work himself into his own confidence and feel good about himself.”

“I’m not going to say I’m being patient or humble about it, but the reality is that we’re just going to keep having to try this experiment every single night until we get the right recipe.”

this ball movement pic.twitter.com/9cGvWCrCUM

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 25, 2022

The season is young, but Simmons is still trying to reestablish his rhythm after missing a year and a half of basketball while he refused to play for Philly while dealing with mental health issues. When he was traded, Simmons missed the rest of the regular season and Brooklyn’s first-round loss due to a back injury that ultimately required surgery.

So far, Simmons is averaging 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game on 45.0 percent shooting from the field. The three-time All-Star has fouled out of two of the four games he’s played and is averaging 3.3 turnovers during the 29.5 minutes he plays per game.

Although the Nets sit at 1-3, Irving and the rest of his teammates reiterate that Simmons and Brooklyn will have better days. Coach Steve Nash said Simmons “is a huge piece of the team” and that the Nets will have to “support him and keep working with him” as they build up his confidence and help him regain his rhythm.

“I just think like, if we’re going to come in and be honest as a team, I’m not trying to just be critical over what Ben’s done right or done wrong every single night,” Irving said. “He’s a basketball player; he’s a professional; he has the skills to be a great professional; he’s done it in the past. And he hasn’t played in two years. So you guys keep coming in here asking me, ‘What about Ben?’ ‘What about Ben?’ and it’s just he hasn’t played in two years. Give him a f—ing chance.”

backdoor delivery pic.twitter.com/RCgaWThUKi

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 25, 2022

Irving further defended Simmons when he said that they “stay on him” and that as Simmons continues to hoop and gets back into the groove of things, “we’re going to really have to jell as a team in order to learn how to win as a group.” He also said that no one will be asked to “go out there and be Superman.”

Simmons said he was “more comfortable” on the court after each game. Simmons was also transparent about feeling “a little hesitant” after he “got hit and tweaked” his back.

“I think each game I feel more comfortable,” Simmons said. “I think once I got hit and tweaked my back a little bit, I was a little hesitant after that, as you guys could probably see, but I definitely feel like in each game, I’m progressing a little bit in terms of my physicality and aggression.”

The post Kyrie Irving Urges Patience With Ben Simmons: ‘This Is A Big Picture Thing’ appeared first on SLAM.

Morant doesn’t remind Durant of any other player.

“He’s a unique player. A lot of athleticism and creativity out there. Body type reminds you of somebody like—well, he’s taller than A.I. [Allen Iverson], but a wiry, strong player — but he’s an incredible player, man,” Durant said per Bleacher Report.

The Murray State product lived up to Durant’s pregame praise with 38 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in a 134-124 Memphis win. Morant, Durant, Desmond Bane, and Kyrie Irving combined to score 150 points on 62 percent shooting from the field.

At just 23-years-old, Morant has the rest of the NBA on watch.

A 2022 All-Star and the NBA’s Most Improved Player, the guard led the Grizzlies to second in the Western Conference last season. Morant has averaged 35.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds this season while leading the Grizzlies to a 3-1 start. Memphis ousted the Nets, Houston Rockets, and New York Knicks but fell to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

Durant’s teammate Ben Simmons spoke on 12 before their Monday night match-up. The duel between Simmons and Morant ended late in the fourth quarter after the 2022 All-Star baited Simmons into fouling out as the Grizzlies inbounded the ball.

“He is an incredible athlete — He pushes the pace, gets his team going, shares the ball. He’s relentless at the rim.”

The Morant magic continues Thursday Night versus the Sacramento Kings.

The post Kevin Durant Calls Ja Morant ‘The Face of Our League Going Forward’ appeared first on SLAM.

Simmons was frustrated with the officiating all night, but none vexed him more than his sixth and final foul, a touch foul when Simmons aggressively defended Ja Morant near halfcourt while Morant tried to waste time with 3:52 left in the game. 

Simmons and Coach Steve Nash were flabbergasted by the call. 

“I just saw the play,” Simmons said after the game. “It wasn’t a foul. [Orr] called it a foul, made a mistake, it is what it is … it’s really frustrating … it’s not a foul, but it was bullshit. It’s frustrating because it’s late game, fourth quarter, it’s a physical, close game. It’s the NBA. It’s not college. It’s not high school. Some people are going to get hit; some people bleed; it’s basketball.”

Ja Morant just explained how he baited Ben Simmons into a sixth foul by remembering something that happened during his rookie year. pic.twitter.com/lKgerareWm

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) October 25, 2022

Morant believed he had something to do with Simmons’ getting called for the foul and explained how he baited him into being disqualified. 

“If y’all want to go dig up a play, I think my rookie year I was in Philly, and the same situation happened like that versus Ben in the first half. I went to look at Coach to get the play, and [Simmons] ran through the ball, got the steal, and went to dunk — I knew it at that moment. Once I seen him and I was rolling the ball, and I was at half [court], I looked at Coach, and I see him try to like ‘oh yeah.’ So I knew I had him. He was going to press up, and I was just going to force the ref to make the call.” 

Morant and Simmons were going at it all games, each receiving technicals in the first half. Morant finished with 38 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Simmons finished with seven points, eight dimes, and three boards. 

The post Ja Morant Takes Credit For Baiting Ben Simmons into Fouling Out appeared first on SLAM.

The energy has truly shifted around the Association since the Golden State Warriors put the haters to sleep and won another NBA championship. This offseason, there was a sudden coaching change in Boston, a reported trade request in Brooklyn by Kevin Durant (that didn’t actually happen), and some major moves during free agency, from Donovan Mitchell teaming up with Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley on the Cavaliers to Jalen Brunson becoming a New York Knick. Then there’s the highly-anticipated return of Zion Williamson, Ben Simmons and SLAM 240 co-cover star Kawhi Leonard, who is sure to be a scary sight alongside Paul George now that they’re both healthy.

While we’ve dished out some bold takes in the past, this year’s preview might feature our boldest takes yet. Here’s the official 2022-23 SLAM Staff NBA Preview:

Anthony Holt, Slam Goods Apparel Designer

The Cavaliers will emerge as a top three seed in the East. 

With the blockbuster trade for Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers will claim the No. 3 seed. The championship experience of Kevin Love and Luke Walton will evolve Mitchell into the leader the franchise needs to make a playoff run. The Cavs will reach the second round of the playoffs before being eliminated by the Celtics, who will face the Bucks in the ECF.

NBA Finals Matchup: Bucks vs Grizzlies

Deyscha “Sway” Smith, Associate Editor

Ben Simmons will make a case for winning Most Improved Player of the Year.

Before any of you mention me on Twitter or pop off in the comment section, hear this one out. We all know what happened last year, and by no means is Ben Simmons, a three-time NBA All-Star, any sort of “up and coming player.” But if this preseason showed us anything, it’s that Ben is actually back and playing basketball again. After averaging 15.9 points per game during his time in Philly, if he brings that same energy and presence (both literally and in terms of his defensive game) to the Nets this year, by technicality, it’s really only up from here in terms of his overall improvement.

Will he win MIP? Unlikely, but then again, just imagine if he actually did put himself in the running for the award.

PS: When I predicted the Celtics would make the ECF in our season preview last year, y’all called me real bold for that take back then. If Ben gets active and starts playing at that All-Star level again, just make sure your apology is as loud as the disrespect has been.

ECF Matchup: Celtics vs Nets

Joshua Tapia, Editorial Intern

Damian Lillard takes the Portland Trailblazers to a top 5 seed in the West while securing his first MVP. 

Damian Lillard will finish the season above 32 points a night with eight assists. If he disciplines himself defensively, Dame could become a reliable defender against the League’s best scorers.

Here’s my playoff prediction: Lillard will lead the Blazers past the No. 4 seed Mavericks in the first round, the Warriors in round 2, but get defeated in Game 6 against the Clippers.  

Adam Figman, Chief Content Officer

The Sixers are winning the championship.

Everything is coming together at the perfect time in Philly: James Harden is healthy and more motivated than ever, Joel Embiid has a better understanding of how to treat his body to make it last a full season plus playoffs, Tobias Harris is the perfect starter to play next to two stars, Tyrese Maxey is making a leap, and Daryl Morey is going to be aggressive adding role players throughout the season to put around this group in order to ensure the team has everything it needs come postseason time. The 76ers: 2023 Champs. 

Michael Harris, Editorial Intern

The Lakers will make the Western Conference Finals.

The Los Angeles Lakers will figure it out this season. Russell Westbrook will embrace his role off the bench, Anthony Davis will be healthy and be a top three candidate for MVP, while Patrick Beverley will bring the defense at the guard spot necessary to help the Lakers lock down shooters. The Lakers will also finish as the top three seed in the West and make it all the way to the WCF to face the Grizzlies.

NBA Finals Matchup: Heat vs Lakers

Ajayi Browne, Editorial Intern

The Dallas Mavericks will win the NBA Finals.

The Dallas Mavericks will reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011 and Luka Doncic will average career-highs across the board while having his most efficient season on his way to winning MVP. The team’s new additions, Christian Wood and Javale McGee, will give this team what they were missing last year, while Tim Hardaway Jr’s return will be vital, too.

Theus McBee, Co-Host of No Pump Fakes

Anthony Edwards will make his first All-Star Game and the Minnesota Timberwolves will make it to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in nearly 20 years. 

The conversation of Ant Man “possibly” being a part of the top five under 25 group will come to an end and we will finally give him his rightful title of “Best Shooting Guard in the NBA.”

Check out the latest episode of No Pump Fakes below:

Najee AR Fareed, Editorial Intern 

Trae Young will make First Team All-NBA, lead the League in assists and take the Hawks all the way to winning a championship. 

The Hawks had a down year last season but their defense should be bolstered by a resurgent Clint Capela, Dejounte Murray’s arrival, and the rise of Onyeka Okongwu. The offense? Ice Trae might hold it down on the offensive end, but the Hawks have much more than just him. Deandre Hunter is taking big steps and John Collins’ lesser offensive load, with the addition of Murray, should free up his game for lobs and catch-and-shoot threes.

The Hawks will win one this season. For 3 Stacks and Lemon Pepper Wings and Zone 6 and Old Nat and everything else we love.

Colby Cusano, Brand Partnerships and Analytics Intern

Zion Williamson will bring the New Orleans Pelicans from an No. 8 seed to a No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and take home the Most Improved Player Award. 

After a decent season that saw them squeeze into the playoffs, the Pelicans are ready to make another run and with a healthy Zion Williamson. They now contain one of the most talented trios in the League.

NBA Finals Matchup: Mavs vs Celtics

Delon George, Marketing Manager SLAMgoods

The Brooklyn Nets will win the title.  

Though a lot of politics surround the Nets’ Big 3, I believe they have a lot to prove individually and together as a team this season. With Kyrie Irving will playing full-time from the start of the season and Kevin Durant avoiding injuries, the Nets are bound to have momentum this year. 

Brooke Brennan, WSLAM Intern

Lonzo Ball will return mid-season and take control of the Bulls’ offense, pushing them to be a top four seed team in the East.

While injury plagued his 2021-2022 season, Lonzo’s return mid-way through this year could give the Bulls the point guard anchor they need to take control on offense. After losing in the first round to the Bucks last year, the Bulls proved that they can be a playoff team, but have to make those adjustments. Returning key players, rising young talent, and added veteran depth will help to develop this team unit.

As for Zo, I project he’ll make an All-Star team in the near future. 

Andrew “Pitt” Pitagorsky, VP of Brand Partnerships

RJ Barrett will win Defensive Player of the Year. 

RJ Barrett will become an NBA All-Star and win Defensive Player of the Year. Going into Year 4 of his young career, RJ will take the next step in his growth and make the leap to the All-Star player we all know he could become. With the help of the coaching staff, and a pure point guard in the lineup, RJ can focus more on the defensive side of his game, and be an elite defender of the League.

Andres Puerta, Social Media SLAMFTW 

The Miami Heat will win the Eastern Conference Finals. 

The Miami Heat have a solid starting lineup. They are coming off a great season, with a solid performance in the playoffs from Jimmy Butler who showed what he can do in the playoffs. Tyler Herro showed out as the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. They have a competitive group of guys and it doesn’t matter who is on the court. With the Heat being one of the top teams in the East last year, this will be the year they win the Eastern Conference Finals.

Arvind Pitchai, VP of Social Media

Luka Doncic will average a triple double and win MVP. 

Here’s another Luka Doncic prediction: when he averages a triple-double this season, he’ll definitely win MVP. We all know about Luka’s scoring prowess and ability to see the floor, but he also can clean the glass at a high clip. Will this lead the Mavs to the Finals? Who knows but it’s going to be a fun season watching Luka regardless.

Marcus Allen, Social Graphic Designer

The Knicks will make the Eastern Conference Finals.

A big season from the New York Knicks is upon us as they will make the ECF in 2023. Future star, RJ Barrett will have the best season of his career with his new backcourt partner Jalen Brunson and ultimately earn Most Improved Player and or Defensive Player of the Year. Let’s get it.

Dave Schnur, President

The T-Wolves and the Cavs will go on a playoff run and make the Conference Finals.

Karl-Anthony Towns moving to the 4 full time will be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. He’ll hit a career high number of threes this season, Ant Edwards will make his first All-Star Team, Rudy Gobert is gonna Gobert and D-Lo will get his, too. The Cavs already have a great young core with Garland, Mobley and Allen. Adding a perennial All-Star SG like Spida that can stretch the floor and facilitate will bolster an already potent offense. Garland and Donovan may be the best backcourt in the East. 

Max Resetar, Editor 

Stephen Curry will break his own record of 402 threes in a season. 

The Dubs finally have everyone healthy. Every player on the roster has a clearly defined role and they each understand that their number one target on offense is No. 30, whether that means passing to him, screening for him, or getting the f— outta his way when the reign starts to rain. With a complete season of all the major hitters, their offense is gonna hum all the way to an easy 450 threes for the most recent Finals MVP. 

Celebrate the return of the NBA season, the 2022 WNBA champs and the future of the game with SLAM 240.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post SLAM’s 2022-23 NBA Preview: Crazy Bold Takes for this Season appeared first on SLAM.

The former All-Star went viral on social media for a fadeaway airball he took at the Nets’ “Practice in the Park” in Brooklyn. Simmons had some displeased words for the audience of that video and took a jab at an NBA superstar that has also struggled to shoot in the previous years.

“They’re going to say that regardless,” said Simmons on fans’ criticism of his shooting. “Even if I hit a shot, what are they going to say? ‘I still can’t —That’s like saying can, Giannis [Antetokounmpo] shoot? Can he?”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brooklyn Nets (@brooklynnets)

Simmons didn’t play for the 76ers with mental health issues, and a back injury prevented him from playing with Brooklyn last season. He ultimately received back surgery to fix the “lower spine irritation” he was experiencing. Simmons missed Brooklyn’s first-round loss to the Celtics due to that back injury and reportedly received some backlash from his teammates about his unavailability.

In the wake of all the criticism he’s had to deal with, Simmons fired back that all the backlash “comes with being Ben Simmons right now.”

“It finds me all the time,” Simmons said. “And it doesn’t f—ing stop. Sometimes I’m even sick of it, but then I’m like, ‘OK, I’m Ben Simmons, you know? It comes with being Ben Simmons right now.’

In a recent preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Simmons held Giannis Antetokounmpo to 6-21 shooting from the field, showing his defensive abilities are still at the top of the rest of the League. In addition, Coach Steve Nash has made it clear that no matter the position Simmons plays, he’ll settle for whatever jump shot he takes.

Through all the controversy surrounding his name, Simmons is more than confident to be a better version of himself from previous years and is siked to take on one of his biggest challenges this season, play at Wells Fargo Arena against his former Sixers squad.

“F— I can’t wait to go there,” said Simmons.

The post Ben Simmons Responds to Recent Media Criticism About His Jump Shot appeared first on SLAM.

Simmons was shipped from the Philadelphia 76ers to Brooklyn at the trade deadline of last season for James Harden. The basketball world erupted as the big 3 of Harden, Irving, and Durant couldn’t bring the Nets their first championship in franchise history.

When Simmons rolled into town, high expectations were still set on the Nets, and eyes laid on him to make a significant impact defensively. His back-to-back All-Defensive team selections and a fifth-place finish in steals (1.6) for the 2020-2021 season produced a case for it.

However, the Nets got swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, and Simmons did not play a single game last season, leading to a rash of media backlash and rumors of their superstar players leaving over the summer. The team is still intact now, and Coach Steve Nash believes ‘patience’ will bring Simmons back into the All-star play he had in Philadelphia.

“He (Simmons) is an incredibly talented and unique player,” said Nash. “But he’s not going to be at his best in the short term, and he’s just got to continue to slog through this period of returning to play and getting his confidence, timing and rhythm back.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brooklyn Nets (@brooklynnets)

That ‘best’ as Nash mentions, won’t require much scoring from Simmons. The Nets seem to be hopeful that the elite scoring of Durant and Irving would alleviate the pressure off Simmons from shooting jump shots, but Durant would like to see Simmons take as many shots to not only find a shooting stroke but also regain that confidence around the rim.

“Just trust in him. Pass him the ball when he’s open,” said Durant. “When Ben is aggressive and gets downhill and looks for everybody and then puts the ball in the rim, it’s going to be a plus for our team.”

Nash may preach how patience will tell the story of Simmons’ start in Brooklyn, but if Simmons still struggles to shoot, Nash already has a backup plan to remain a top-tier team in the East.

Simmons has been linked to the possibility of playing center this season, which would be an upgrade to the squad considering the position is getting smaller across the League and requires much more skills than rebounding. Simmons would indeed find success throughout the season because of his playmaking and defensive intangibles, but it’ll be up to Nash to make Simmons an effective scorer that’ll once again submit the team as title favorites.

The post Steve Nash Reveals Plan to Help Ben Simmons Back to All-Star Form appeared first on SLAM.

Ben Simmons might’ve played for a different team, the Philadelphia Sixers, the last time he suited up in a game 470 days prior, but after a season-long trade request and subsequent back injury, Simmons is back for the Brooklyn Nets. He faced off against his former squad in the first preseason game, scoring six points, grabbed four boards, dishing out five dimes and a steal in 19 minutes. 

“I’m grateful just to be able to step on that floor,” Simmons said, per ESPN. “Step on an NBA floor again. I had a lot of fun out there.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brooklyn Nets (@brooklynnets)

Out on the west coast, Kawhi Leonard made his well-awaited return after suffering a torn ACL during the 2021 NBA playoffs against the Utah Jazz. The two-time Finals MVP picked up right where he left off, scoring 11 points and collecting four rebounds with two steals against the Portland Trailblazers in only 16 minutes.

“It was great,” Leonard said. “Just being able to put all that hard work that I did throughout the, 14, 16 months, just able to put it to test and playing against NBA talent, it was good.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LA Clippers (@laclippers)

And then there’s SLAM 230 cover star Jamal Murray, who has been missing from action since he tore his ACL during the 2021 regular season. He gave optimists a lot of reasons to feel vindicated for their faith that he would return better than ever in his first game back, finishing with 10 points on 4-7 from the field in only 15 minutes. 

We’ve said it before, but let it be known now that’s he back: it’s Jamal Murray’s time.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Denver Nuggets (@nuggets)

With the NBA regular season right around the corner, these three superstars are joining (or re-joining) teams with championship aspirations and contention expectations. It’s been too many days too long and the game is better with them on the court. 

The post Ben Simmons, Jamal Murray and Kawhi Leonard Make Their NBA Return appeared first on SLAM.

He had an amazing high school career that ended up with him winning the Gatorade National Player of the Year Award and being the No. 1 recruit in his draft class. After an impressive year at college basketball powerhouse Gonzaga, Holmgren declared for the 2022 NBA Draft and was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the second pick.

However, after what was a dominant Summer League outing Holmgren where he proved many doubters wrong, the rookie forward would then end up suffering torn ligaments in his foot after competing in an off-season Pro-Am game. To make matters worse, this Lisfranc injury will keep Holmgren out for the entire 2022-2023 NBA season.

In his first appearance talking to reporters since the injury, per Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman, Holmgren said that he had spoken to NBA superstar Joel Embiid who told him the following.

“It’s always great to look at something, knowing it’s been done before,” Holmgren told reporters. “Even if it wasn’t (done before), I was going to put my hard hat on and get to work.”

Holmgren also pointed out that he is familiar with the stories of Ben Simmons and Blake Griffin, who are two other NBA stars who lost out on their rookie seasons due to injury as well. When asked about how his rehabilitation process was going, Holmgren said he’s “studied (his) body a lot” and that he’s “taking those proper steps to prevent injuries as well.”

“I try to take steps every single day to put my body in the best position for the best possible health on and off the court,” Holmgren said. “I’ve studied my body a lot, along with people here on the medical staff. We’re taking those proper steps to prevent injuries as well.” 

Holmgren also responded to those who criticize NBA players for playing in the Pro-Am games saying “At the end of the day, basketball players are going to play basketball,”

“It’s just kind of like; you’ve got to feed the love for the game,” Holmgren said. “I don’t want an injury like this to take away from that. I’m always going to have a love for basketball, so I’m always taking advantage of opportunities to play basketball. Just gotta make sure that you do it right and you’re able to kind of avoid things like this.” 

Only time will tell how Holmgren will fit into OKC’s rotation, but whenever he does set foot on a basketball court again, the basketball world is in for a real treat!

The post Chet Holmgren Speaks On His Injury Rehab and What He’s Learned About the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

“I love playing the 5,” said Simmons. “I don’t mind.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ben Simmons (@bensimmons)

Simmons has been one of the more controversial players in the League over the past year. In his six years with the Philadelphia 76ers, The three-time All-Star showed promise to be an elite two-way player. Defensively he had shown his capabilities, like in 2020 when he led the League in steals with 2.1 a game and a career defensive rating average of 105.3, better than LeBron James (103.8) and multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert (103.5).

The struggle for Simmons has been at the offensive end, especially in big moments. The Sixers formed the duo of Simmons and Joel Embiid in hopes of achieving multiple championships with their all-around talent. While Embiid has seemed to improve in every facet, Simmons was scrutinized for not taking jump shots and a lack of aggression at times.

With misses at the line and outside of 15 feet from the basket, teams like the 2019 Toronto Raptors and the 2021 Atlanta Hawks would figure out a way to take Simmons out of the equation. Though the series went to seven games in each series, Simmons looked out of sync offensively that he’d pass up open layups.

Fast forward to the 2022 trade deadline, Simmons was traded to the Nets, with Brooklyn hoping the transaction would lead to the Nets winning a championship with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. A back injury season kept him sidelined for the rest of the year and resulted in an early playoff exit for the Nets.

Doubts raised through the roof, but Coach Steve Nash managed to keep his core together and has even made promises to improvise the offense around Simmons, letting it be known that he doesn’t care if Simmons “ever shoots a jump shot.”

Simmons may have the defensive prowess to play the five, but the team looks to implement an offense that makes him valuable, even if that means he takes more shots from the perimeter.

The post Ben Simmons Doesn’t Mind Playing New Position: ‘I Love Playing the 5’ appeared first on SLAM.

When Markieff Morris joined the team this summer, the Philly-bred forward seemed determMorris’ instill some grit and grind into Brooklyn’s DNA. Last season, Morris averaged 10.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game on 44.6 percent shooting from the field and 34.1 percent from beyond the arc. Morris is healthy and ready to go after suffering a season-ending neck injury against the Nuggets 17 games into the season.

Morris has already developed a reputation as an enforcer in the League. He will look to reprise the role on the veteran-laden Nets led by Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons. They all have something to prove after a mediocre season that saw the team fall short of its championship aspirations and a dramatic offseason full of trade demands and ultimatums.

“Yeah, I agree with what [Kevin Durant] said,” Morris said Tuesday at Nets training camp. “They were soft, just point-blank period. When we played up against them, they were soft. Just go right in their chest. That’s what we did.”

"Just go out there and play hard, knock somebody on the ground. Kick them in their ass, see if they’ll get up. Then you’ll know.”@Keefmorris on the @BrooklynNets https://t.co/gRAXqkVTFH

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) September 27, 2022

Morris believes that the solution resides in the Nets playing hard and physically.

“Just go out there and play hard, knock somebody on the ground. Kick them in their ass, see if they’ll get up. Then you’ll know.”

Morris and the Nets will have a chance to test Morris’ theory out once the Nets start their season on Oct. 19 against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The post Markieff Morris Believes the Nets Need to ‘Knock Somebody on the Ground’ appeared first on SLAM.

Simmons continued to say that he has been playing pickup with teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving all week and that those two look “incredible”. This new trio of Irving, Simmons, and Durant will be a Big Three that will be on everyone’s radar to watch this season, whether you are a fan or an opponent. All three players contribute unique skills and abilities that are just spiritual performances waiting to be witnessed.

Simmons is not the only Net eager to start the new season; Kyrie Irving also shared his thoughts on Simmons as well as a personal goal of his.

“It’s not too often that you get to see a 6’10” guy do the things he does,” Irving said about Simmons per Nets beat reporter, Erik Slater. “What I’ve been able to observe is just his resolve and his resiliency. He wants it.”

Irving’s encouraging words should give a considerable boost to Simmons after what was a very chippy ending to his time with the Philadephia 76ers and a rough start dealing with injuries when joining the Nets last season.

This just shows that Irving is also making good on his goal to want to help provide a sound support system that everyone on the team can thrive within. This Nets team has the talent to make a deep playoff run and has a chance to win the 2023 NBA championship, but it remains to be seen if this Big 3 can mesh together as a unit that can lead the Nets on and off the court.

With opening night just around the corner, the suspense and anticipation are growing on what will be a very exciting season for Brooklyn.

The post Ben Simmons ‘Ready to Go’ After Getting Cleared to Play appeared first on SLAM.

The former No. 1 overall pick of the 2016 draft had not played in an NBA game since June 20, 2021, when the Philadelphia 76ers lost Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks, 103-96. Following the tough loss, Simmons agreed that he should’ve “punched” the dunk opportunity he had while being guarded by Trae Young.

He also believes that he was thrown under the bus by Coach Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid and spoke about his former teammates’ desire to see him over the offseason in Los Angeles, explicitly saying that they had a chance to see him all summer but no one took advantage of the opportunity.

“It came to a point when after that series getting — the people you’re supposed to getting support from, comfort from, and I wasn’t getting that either. So, It was taking a toll on me, it killed me, like fuck, no energy from anything, I was in a dark place,” Simmons said to JJ Redick, his former teammate and host of the Old Man and the Three Podcast.

“First thing for me, I got to identify — I got to get right. It’s not a physical thing. It’s mentally. And I think that to acknowledge that was a big step for me. Okay, I need to address this. I need help in these areas. Being able to do that has gotten me to where I am now. I’m in a great place, and I feel comfortable talking about it now. Those were some dark days for me. And especially because it was all public which is crazy.”

The tension between Simmons and Philly ultimately broke down to a months-long separation and suspension that led to Philly eventually trading Simmons to Brooklyn at the trade deadline. Although Simmons found a new home in Brooklyn, he still loves the City of Brotherly Love. 

“Philly is obviously a sports city. My experience playing there was incredible.” Simmons said on an appearance on his former teammate, JJ Redick’s, podcast. “For the most part, it was incredible. I had a great time. The fans were unbelievable. I still have an apartment there, so I do own some real estate in Philadelphia still. So I feel like I’m part of Philly still.”

Simmons averaged 15.9 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 7.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game during his time in Philly. He also made four All-Star teams, earned an All-NBA and two All-Defensive team nods, and led the NBA in steals in 2020. The two-way dynamo also took some time to speak with JJ Redick about his transition to Brooklyn.

“Being in Brooklyn now, it’s completely different,” Simmons said. It’s a different experience for me. I value that time I spent in Philly. I was able to learn and grow in that city. And I got friends for life there. My brother lives there. I got family there. Philly’s great. I think people have a thought that I hate it.” 

Simmons also spoke out about the continuous narrative around his jump shot. The former LSU Tiger chooses to focus on the fact that he’s guarding the opponent’s best play instead of the fact that his jumper isn’t as big of a tool in his bag as others want it to be.

“After a while, It’s just so repetitive,” Simmons said. You’re hearing it all the time from everybody. F***ing hell. Get off my case. I do other stuff, too, like I’m guarding the best player! I don’t think people respect that enough. what I am bringing to the court because there’s a lot of shit I’m bringing to the court! And for me, I just want to win.”

Simmons has the chance to open a new chapter in his career as he starts to gear up to play alongside Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the rest of his Brooklyn Nets teammates.

The post Ben Simmons Speaks On His ‘Incredible’ Time Playing With the 76ers appeared first on SLAM.

ESPN Sources: Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers have reached a settlement agreement on the grievance the All-Star guard filed to recoup a portion of the nearly $20 million withheld him as a result of his failure to play games in the 2021-2022 season. Story soon.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 15, 2022

Simmons and Philly agreed to a confidentiality agreement on the exact financial settlement, according to Woj. The 76ers made their case based on their belief that Simmons breached his contract by not showing up to training camp and not playing for the franchise during the 2022-23 season. Simmons’ argument was that his mental health was compromised, and that was the reason he couldn’t play.

Simmons’ struggles with mental health after he was heavily criticized after the 76ers lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the playoffs. Coach Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid were critical of Simmons’ lack of aggressiveness, but Embiid later came out and said that he had Simmons’ back and wanted to play with him before the former All-Star was shipped to Brooklyn.

Both sides agreed to a confidentiality agreement on the exact financial settlement, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 15, 2022

After Simmons was traded for James Harden at the trade deadline, a back injury he suffered sometime during the season prevented him from playing with the Nets at all. Simmons went under the knife to solve the issue in May.

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons and the 76ers Reach Settlement on Grievance appeared first on SLAM.

When Simmons was first traded for James Harden, fans were excited to see the three-time All-Star contribute as a two-way playmaker they’ve seen him grow into since he entered the public eye at Montverde. Word from the Nets camp also played into Simmons suiting up and was hopeful that he could play at some point during the regular-season and the playoffs.

Simmon’s playing reached its highest point when the Nets announced he was cleared for contact. However, that was the closest Simmons would get to playing despite reports of him looking to return during the playoffs.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Simmons’ back injury was debilitating enough that he elected not to play at all despite Woj reporting in that same story that Simmons was given the green-light to play in Games 4 against the Boston Celtics. According to Ric Bucher of FS1, Simmons reportedly took exception to his teammates asking him if he could play during the Nets’ eventual first-round loss to Boston.

“They’re having a team chat before Game 4, thinking he’s going to play against the Celtics, and from what I’m told, Ben just left the chat,” Ric Bucher told Colin Cowherd on FS1’s The Herd. “They asked him, ‘Are you going to play?’ Ben left the chat. Like he didn’t even answer the question. Just left the chat.

Simmons ultimately had a microdiscectomy surgery to “address pain located in a herniated disk in his lower back,” per Woj. The timetable for Simmons’ return is expected to be three to fourth months while he rehabilitates his ailing back. When Simmons comes back, the Nets hope the All-NBA version of Simmons will be able to add some versatility and elite athleticism to a lineup that needed some defensive acumen and fast-paced offense.

In response to the report from Bucher, Simmons tweeted that the news cycle must be slow for the story Bucher made to come out.

slow news day

— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) August 9, 2022

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons Left Nets Group Chat After Being Asked if He Would Play in Playoffs appeared first on SLAM.

According to Fischer, the Nets prefer a shorter deal with incentives that include “benchmarks, such as games played.” Irving has indicated he’d like a long-term contract despite missing significant time due to injuries and COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Currently, both sides are open to engaging in contract negotiations regarding Irving’s future in Brooklyn. According to Fischer, Nets officials expect Irving, Kevin Durant, and Ben Simmons to play in Brooklyn next season, an assumption the team has held since falling to Boston in the first round of the playoffs.

While Irving and the Nets are open to negotiations, it seems there is a slight divide between the two sides. Rumblings of Irving being interested in joining the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks have heated up, but there is no tangible assurance to either of those claims. If he were to join the Lakers or Knicks, Irving would have to either decline his $36.5 million extension with Brooklyn and become an unrestricted free agent or opt-in with the Nets and demand a trade.

A seven-time All-Star, Irving has not played more than 54 games in three of the last four seasons. The 30-year-old averaged 27.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game in 20 regular-season games last year.

In April, he averaged 21.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game in Brooklyn’s first-round playoff defeat against Boston.

The post REPORT: Nets and Kyrie Irving Have ‘Ground to Cover’ in Contract Talks appeared first on SLAM.

Nets announce that Ben Simmons will undergo a “microdiscectomy procedure” on Thursday to “alleviate pain caused by the herniated disc” in his back.

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) May 4, 2022

According to Nick Friedell of ESPN, the surgery is a “microdiscectomy procedure” that will “alleviate pain caused by the herniated disc” in his back. Simmons will reportedly take 3-4 months to recover fully, per NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Brooklyn Nets’ Ben Simmons is expected to need 3-to-4 months to make a full recovery on back surgery, sources tell ESPN. The expectation is that he’ll be ready to return well ahead of training camp.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 4, 2022

Simmons’ back injury was first reported shortly after the 76ers traded him to the Nets for James Harden at the trade deadline. Simmons sat out the entire 2021-22 season and playoffs due to a season-long battle with mental health and the aforementioned lower back injury that prevented him from a possible Game 4 return in the Nets’ first-round series against the Celtics.

The post Nets Announce Ben Simmons Will Undergo Back Surgery appeared first on SLAM.

The return of the injury came after positive reports of Simmons surfaced all week. Charania reported a meeting took place between Simmons’ camp and the Nets on Monday.

“Sunday’s events triggered frustration and disheartenment throughout the organization, multiple sources said. The fallout of Simmons being ruled out Sunday led to a meeting among franchise officials, Simmons, and his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, on Monday in Brooklyn.”

Charania also reported that Simmons explained his reoccurring back issue to his teammates and team executives:

“According to sources, Simmons told those in the room that a mental block exists for him, dating in part to last summer’s postseason, which is creating stress that could serve as a trigger point for his back issues. He added that he does want to play basketball and play for the Nets as he works on solutions in regard to his well-being.”

Charania reported that it was not only the front office but also the players and coaches frustrated with the situation:

“On Sunday, Simmons informed the team his back was sore. For Nets players, the confusion was not centered around Simmons’ ailment but with the perceived lack of attempt to play, effort to be in uniform and push his body in these high-stakes playoffs, sources said. Nets players and coaches wanted to see Simmons show resolve and enter this series to start his on-court Brooklyn tenure, even if it was for limited minutes on Monday or none at all, while still dressing for the game.”

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons Sitting Out Game 4 Caused ‘Frustration’ in Nets Organization appeared first on SLAM.

“Of course we’re all disappointed, we’d love to see Ben on the floor with our team,” head coach Steve Nash says. “But I don’t want to be taken that I’m disappointed in Ben. His back is his back.”

This flareup in Simmons’ back injury occurred after Wojnarowski reported on Friday that Simmons was likely to play on Monday, but as Wojnarowski alluded, a setback did occur.

However, if the Nets win, Nash did not rule Simmons out stating, “I don’t know. I think It’s the same as I would’ve told you yesterday. We’ll see how he progresses, and see if there’s an opportunity for him to play at some point in the series if we go on.”

With Simmons sidelined, the Nets will look the keep the series alive as they’re currently down 3-0 against the Celtics. Game 4 will take place in Barclays Center with a 7:00 PM EST tip-off.

The post Steve Nash on Ben Simmons: ‘His Back is His Back. We’ve Got to Work Through This’ appeared first on SLAM.

Brooklyn Nets three-time All-Star Ben Simmons plans to make his season debut in Game 4 vs. Boston on Monday as long as rehab remains on course, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Simmons is set to play his first game since June 2021.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 21, 2022

Simmons hadn’t played since June 2021, when the Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The LSU product hasn’t played due to a holdout with Sixers management, a battle with mental health, and a lower back injury he’s been dealing with since being traded from Philly at the trade deadline.

The good news follows reports that Simmons was cleared for contact after playing some 4-on-4 drills on Monday, which led to further reports that he was targeting Games 3 or 4 for his return to the Nets’ lineup.

When Simmons last played, he averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game during the 2020-21 campaign.

The post Ben Simmons Set to Play Game 4 Against the Celtics On Monday appeared first on SLAM.

Based on Ben Simmons’ progress in practices this week – and the anticipation of him further accelerating in the coming days – Game 4 vs. Boston on Monday is looming as a realistic target for his Brooklyn debut, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2022

If Simmons does indeed play next Monday, it will also be Simmons’ Nets debut and first game since the Philadephia 76ers Game 7 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in last year’s semifinals.

Simmons hasn’t played due to a holdout he had with Sixers management, a battle with mental health, and a lower back injury he’s been dealing with since being traded from Philly at the trade deadline. The announcement of Simmon’s impending return follows the news that he was cleared for contact after playing some 4-on-4 drills on Monday

The post REPORT: Game 4 Set As ‘Realistic Target’ For Ben Simmons’ Return appeared first on SLAM.

Steve Nash says Ben Simmons has been cleared for contact. He got some 4-on-4 work in yesterday. Nash said he came through it well.

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 19, 2022

Simmons and the Nets hope for his return to the lineup by Game 4-6 in their first-round series against the Boston Celtics. Simmons hasn’t played at all this season due to a conflict with the 76ers, a mental health battle, and a lower back injury that has bothered him since midway through March.

Nash also revealed that Simmons played in some 4-on-4 drills and that he “came through it well” afterward.

Game 2 of the Celtics-Nets series takes place tomorrow in TD Garden.

The post Nets Announce Ben Simmons Has Been Cleared For Contact appeared first on SLAM.

Simmons has remained sidelined throughout the season since being traded from Philadelphia to Brooklyn while mending a back injury. Windhorst reported that while Simmons hasn’t begun five-on-five scrimmages, the hope is that he would be able to progress to that stage by the end of the week.

While this is the most solidified timeline Brooklyn has had on Simmons’ return to the court, both Durant and Nash expressed their plans to prepare for Boston regardless of Simmons’s timeline after practice on Thursday.

“I’m not expecting him to play,” Durant said. “That’s easier for me. I’m not putting any pressure on Ben to come out there and hoop. So I’m not expecting him to do anything but just to get his body right and get healthy as fast as he can. So in my mind, I’m preparing as if we’re playing with the team we have.”

Even though the three-time All-Star hasn’t played in almost a year, the defensive prowess and knack to find the open guy would be increasingly influential for Brooklyn in the postseason.

“There’s a chance Ben comes back; there’s a chance he doesn’t come back. So I think for us, we got to focus on the group; support Ben and his journey to get back on the floor, but at the same time we don’t have time to lose focus on the group that’s playing,” Nash said after practice.

The focus is on the here and now for the Nets as they prepare for Game 1 of the first round against the Boston Celtics Sunday night in TD Garden.

The post Ben Simmons Reportedly Eyeing Late First Round Return for Brooklyn Nets appeared first on SLAM.

While he participated in light shooting at practice today, Steve Nash said the three-time All-Star would remain sidelined for the rest of the regular season and the play-in tournament. While Nash remains hopeful for a Simmons return down the line in the playoffs, he would be “shocked” if he returned for the play-in.

“He’s doing some increased strengthening, some increased mobility stuff, a little bit of shooting, and that’s it,” Nash told reporters.

With only four more games left in the regular season, Simmons hasn’t arrived at the point in his rehab process where he’s participating in 1-on-1 or 3-on-3 workouts, indicating a return during the final stretch of the regular season seemed improbable. The 2017-18 Rookie of the Year has been f in street clothes since the organization announced in March that he had suffered a herniated disk in his back.

On Simmons, Steve Nash also said he doesn’t see the Nets skipping some high-intensity workouts to get him in a game given the long layoff he’s had. If he had played for most of the season it’s a different story.

— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) April 4, 2022

“I think in this situation, we got to put his health and safety first and make sure that we’re certain he’s ready to play and contribute,” Nash added. “And the other part is he hasn’t played basketball, so you don’t know what kind of Ben you get. And he hasn’t been in an NBA game for, you know, nine to 10 months.”

Currently sitting at 10th in the East, the Nets (40-38) would likely matchup against the Charlotte Hornets (40-38) in the play-in unless they secure two wins to capture the eighth seed, currently occupied by Atlanta (41-37). The Nets, at this point, can finish no higher than eighth in the East.

The post Ben Simmons Sidelined For Remainder of Regular Season and Play-In Tournament, Steve Nash Says appeared first on SLAM.

We have never seen a basketball player like Joel Embiid. Like it or not, it's just a fact.

(: @goodlooksfamily) pic.twitter.com/F5UWkiHsAG

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 24, 2022

After a dramatic offseason and even messier divorce surrounding Ben Simmons, Embiid has emerged as the leader of a 76ers squad that has relied heavily on 29.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game production. At 46-28, the Sixers are in second place and just one game behind the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat (48-28). Since the 76ers added James Harden via trade, Embiid has averaged 31.0 points and 12.4 rebounds per game.

“Last year, I got hurt. That was the knock on me with not being healthy,” Embiid said per NBA.com. “This year, I’ve gone to a different level. I’m healthy. I don’t know what else I have to do to be able to [win MVP]. I feel like it is my time. But I have a lot of respect for the other guys, and I think they’re great players.”

“It’s nice to be recognized as the MVP,” Embiid said. “That’s the biggest thing you can win. I would love that. But then again, I want to win a championship. The championship trumps everything.”

Embiid was just inches away from winning his first MVP award last season, getting injured late into the season, and losing the MVP to Nikola Jokic. The perceived slight and falling to the Hawks in the second round inspired, Embiid to enter the offseason hungrier and more determined than ever. Over the summer, Embiid worked on his game with vaunted NBA trainer Drew Hanlen.

Instead of worrying about what Simmons would do, the former Kansas Jayhawk just went to work and trusted the process.

“Joel paid no attention to it,” Drew Hanlen, Embiid’s trainer, said. “Joel was more focused on how he can improve as a player and what he needed to do to make up for the talent that they lost in Ben. Why waste energy on things that don’t deserve energy? There was nothing Joel could do about it.”

Embiid was also entrusted with leading the 76ers on his own, implementing an offseason training regimen that helped include studying Kobe Bryant’s game film, Kevin Durant, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Dirk Nowitzki to breakdown how to get buckets in various ways. Embiid also addressed his conditioning, nutrition and improved his handle and ability to pass out of double-teams.

“We’ve always talked about, ‘Can you carry a team. Can you do it, not by yourself, but can you do it without another All-Star?'” Embiid said. “I just wanted to go on and prove that. To win a championship, I can’t win alone. I need great teammates. But I just wanted to set the foundation.”

“The game has started to slow down for him. The countless hours of film, plus the countless hours of decision-making in workouts, has allowed him to really grasp what is coming next and seeing the play before it unfolds.” Hanlen added.

With eight games remaining in the regular season, Embiid ranks ahead of fellow frontrunner Jokic in points and defensive rating, while Joker has the edge in rebounding and assists. Jokic also leads the League in triple-doubles (18), but Embiid has a 50-point game and six 40-point outings, while Jokic has scored at least 40 just two times this season.

The post Joel Embiid on MVP Chances: ‘I Feel Like It Is My Time’ appeared first on SLAM.

However, the organization remains hopeful – mirroring Steve Nash’s sentiments on Tuesday – that Simmons will get some game reps in before the regular-season wraps.

ESPN reporting with @RamonaShelburne: Brooklyn Nets All-Star Ben Simmons has remained sidelined with an irritation of the L-4 disc of the lower spine and hope remains he can return for a “couple” of regular-season games prior to the Eastern Conference playoffs. Story soon.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 16, 2022

According to Wojnarowski, the potential targeted return date of this Friday’s game against the Portland Trailblazers had been nixed due to Simmons’ inability to go longer than a day or two in rehab without pain flaring up in his lower back.

In part with Simmons rehab process, which has included one on zero settings in practice, Steve Nash told assembled media on Wednesday afternoon that the former Rookie of the Year had received an epidural shot when the Nets were in Orlando last night during Brooklyn’s 150-108 win.

Steve Nash says Ben Simmons got an epidural while the Nets played in Orlando: pic.twitter.com/VW3aKPq5Py

— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) March 16, 2022

Sitting in eighth place with a 36-33 record – 2.5 games behind the seventh-place Toronto Raptors – Wojnarowski reports the organization is hopeful Simmons recovery bodes well enough to return for a “couple” of regular-season games. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving becoming the first pair of teammates to record consecutive 50+ point games last night, Brooklyn could very much use Simmons’ abilities as they fight for playoff seeding down the stretch of the regular season.

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons Remains Sidelined with Irritation of Lower Spine appeared first on SLAM.

Simmons’ absence has left some wondering if he would play for the Nets at all this season.

On Tuesday, Coach Steve Nash spoke to media to dispel those rumors, stating that he believes the chances of Simmons playing this season are “extremely high.”

The good news comes some bad, as Nash also told reporters that Simmons wouldn’t be traveling with the team while he continues to rehab.

Simmons was sent to the Nets along with Seth Curry and Andre Drummond as part of the trade deadline deal that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers.

While Simmons has yet to play for Brooklyn, fellow new arrivals Curry and Drummond have picked up the slack. Curry and Drummond have played in 11 games so far, with Curry averaging 15.8 points and 3.2 assists and Drummond averaging 10.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

The Nets could really use the presence of Simmons, and quickly. Brooklyn is currently sitting at the back of the Eastern Conference playoff race in eighth place with a record of 36-33, 3.5 games behind the sixth, and final non-play-in seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (39-29).

The post Steve Nash Says Ben Simmons Likely to Play in Regular Season appeared first on SLAM.

On Thursday night, the Philadelphia 76ers will square off against the Nets, and Simmons will be present on the Nets bench, according to head coach Steve Nash.

Despite Simmons’ presence on the bench, he will not be active to play in the game as he is still working towards full fitness since his trade to Brooklyn in February.

Part of the reason for Simmons’ presence at the game this week, according to Kyle Neubeck of The Philly Voice, is that Simmond will reportedly be filing a grievance with the 76ers in an attempt to recoup some of the money lost from not playing this season. Neubeck reported that Simmons’ appearance on Thursday night would be included in the grievance.

The game will take place in Philadelphia on Thursday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m.

Simmons was traded to the Nets at the start of February for James Harden after not appearing for the team all season. Simmons was joined in Brooklyn by Seth Curry and Andre Drummond.

Since the trade, Simmons has not suited up for Brooklyn, but recent reports indicate he will begin being “worked into game shape” this week, meaning he could make a return to the court in the near future.

A return from Simmons is becoming near essential for the Nets as they slide down the Eastern Conference standings. The Nets are now in a play-in spot in the east, sitting eighth in the conference with a 33-33 record, just 2.5 games ahead of the 11-seed Washington Wizards.

The post Ben Simmons to Sit on Bench For Nets Game In Philadelphia on Thursday appeared first on SLAM.

While it was expected that Simmons would take some time to ramp up mentally and physically before making his Nets debut, it appears he won’t be on the court as soon as many would like. On Mar. 10, the Nets and Sixers face off, which would be highly anticipated for Simmons. 

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski recently reported that Simmons likely will not be available to play in this upcoming contest. 

“There’s tremendous urgency around the Nets to get Ben Simmons on the court, get him incorporated and playing with his team,” said Wojnarowski. “Simmons is going to join them at some point. The Nets hope is when Brooklyn gets back after Thursday’s game in Philly. Simmons at that point will be ready to start getting on the floor with his teammates, increasing his workload and getting closer to returning.”

Last season, Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per contest. Following a disappointing playoff exit and tension between himself and the team, Simmons’ future with the team was in jeopardy, which ultimately led to this trade going down at the following deadline. 

The post REPORT: ‘No Chance’ Ben Simmons Plays Against Sixers This Week appeared first on SLAM.

That’s why Nets fans had a reason for optimism on Thursday when general manager Sean Marks told the YES Network that newly-acquired forward Ben Simmons would begin being worked “into game shape” after next week.

Simmons has yet to play a game this season, as he has sat out the entirety of the year waiting for a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons got that trade at the trade deadline a few weeks ago, when he, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond were shipped to Brooklyn for James Harden and Paul Millsap.

Simmons is also not the only one missing time for the Nets at the moment, with Kyrie Irving still only able to play away games and Joe Harris recently ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

Curry and Drummond have already picked up some slack since the trade, with Curry averaging 16.6 points per game for the Nets and Drummond averaging 9.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Before this season, Simmons had more than proved his worth as one of the NBA’s best, accumulating three All-Star appearances and being named to two All-Defensive teams and one All-NBA team.

The Nets are currently fighting to stay in the playoffs altogether, as they are now eighth in the East with a record of 32-32 but are just 2.5 games ahead of the 11th-placed Washington Wizards (28-33) and 5.0 games back of the sixth-place Cleveland Cavaliers (36-26).

Brooklyn looks to end their three-game losing streak on Sunday when they head to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics (38-27).

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons to be Worked ‘Into Game Shape’ Next Week appeared first on SLAM.

One of those players is forward Tobias Harris, who has seen his production take a slight dip since the addition of Harden. In Harden’s first two games as a 76ers, Harris scored a total of 18 points, six in the first game and 12 in the second, both well below his current season average of 18.3 points per game.

Harris recently spoke to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Noah Levick about this change in his role and how he was more concerned with winning games than the total number of points he has at the end of the game.

“It’s been two games,” Harris said. “I’m not worried about my offensive points and production. I think everybody has this notion of, ‘Oh, you’ve got to score this many points.’ Yeah, I get it, but at the end of the day I’m a winner and I incorporate into winning basketball. If that’s me taking 15 shots or if that’s me taking eight shots, it is what it is.

“As long as we’re winning basketball games, that’s what the name of the game is about. A lot of people may not like to hear that, but that’s the predicament we’re in right now. We have a lot of firepower, especially with James and Joel on this team. So my goal is to be out here, be ready, and when shots are available and the opportunity is there, take advantage of it and do whatever I can for our group.”

While Harris has had to take a backseat to Harden, the first signs for the team have been encouraging, albeit in just two appearances thus far, the 76ers are 2-0 with Harden so far, winning both games over the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves by double-digits.

In his first outing as a 76er, Harden put up 27 points and 12 assists and followed that up with a 29 point, 16 dimes, and 10 rebound triple-double.

The 76ers acquired Harden as part of the blockbuster trade deadline deal that sent Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Harden and Paul Millsap. Simmons has yet to suit up for the Nets, but Curry and Drummond have played six times thus far, with Curry averaging 17.8 points per game over those appearances and Drummond averaging 9.8 points per game.

The 76ers and Nets are scheduled to face off next Thursday, March 10, in Philadelphia.

The post Tobias Harris on New Role: ‘At the End of the Day I’m a Winner’ appeared first on SLAM.

With that in mind, it might be a while longer before he makes his debut in Brooklyn. 

As first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charana, Simmons is dealing with back soreness in reconditioning process that requires further strengthening of the area over a period of time before return to action.

Nets coach Steve Nash was asked about this following the report, giving a transparent answer about Simmons’ situation. 

“I just saw the reports. It’s been the same process. It’s just a little soreness in his back,” said Nash on Saturday evening. “It’s not like an injury, it’s just as he’s returning to play, his back has flared up a little bit. He hasn’t played a game since June so that’s just part of his process of returning to play is as you ramp up, he’s a little sub septic to certain things as you would be with muscle soreness or tightness. He’s got a little tightness.”

While Nash considers this more of a normal occurrence after not playing for the entire season rather than an injury, it’s still something to monitor. Currently sitting at eighth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 32-29, they’re projected to be part of the play-in tournament despite having such a talented roster. 

Last season, which was the last time Simmons played, he averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per contest.

The post Steve Nash Opens Up About Ben Simmons’ Setback appeared first on SLAM.

But his teammate on both the 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets, Seth Curry, told ESPN’s Nick Friedell that Simmons shouldn’t have to apologize to Philly fans.

“Business is business,” Curry told ESPN after Thursday’s shootaround. “I said from day [one], even when he was out early in the season, people were asking me if I feel like, if Ben comes back, should he apologize to us or whatever? I understand the business; he doesn’t need to apologize to anybody. When he’s on the court, I know he’s going to do his job and he’s going to do what he does. So I understand the business. He was doing what he felt was best for himself business-wise and personal-wise.”

Simmons has yet to play a game this season, last suiting up for the 76ers in the 2021 playoffs, after refusing to play for Philadelphia this year and demanding a trade. Simmons got his wish at the trade deadline and was shipped off the Nets along with Curry and Andre Drummond and draft picks in exchange for James Harden and Paul Millsap.

Simmons has yet to play for Brooklyn either, with Nets Coach Steve Nash stating it’s unlikely he will return before the Nets and 76ers’ matchup in Philadelphia on March 10 due to conditioning issues via the New York Post.

Before this season, Simmons had already established himself as a star in the NBA. He is a three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive team selection, and earned a 2019-20 All-NBA team nomination. This has resulted in Simmons having career averages of 15.9 points, 7.7 assists, and 8.1 rebounds per game over his career.

The Nets and 76ers are still in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race, with Philadelphia (35-23) in third place and Brooklyn (31-29) in eighth place.

The post Seth Curry on Ben Simmons’ 76ers Exit: ‘He Doesn’t Need to Apologize’ appeared first on SLAM.

“Ben Simmons, from what I’m told, is going to really ramp it up this week and see where he’s at at the end of the week, but he’s getting close. I don’t think it’s going to–it’s going to be more like weeks rather than months.”

Acquired at the trade deadline on February 10, Simmons has been ramping up his conditioning with the Brooklyn Nets for just over a week now. Shelburne reported on what Simmons was doing to stay in shape before the League shifting trade deadline.

“He has worked out separately with his own group of trainers, according to sources close to Simmons. He has organized his own runs with local players,” Shelbourne said. “He has lifted weights at a local fitness club that’s open to the general public. He has seen his own therapist but hasn’t shared information about his treatment with the team.”

The Brooklyn Nets have 23 remaining games on the schedule and will face Simmons’ former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, on March 10 in Wells Fargo Arena.

The post Ben Simmons is ‘Getting Close’ to Return, Expected Back in ‘Weeks’ appeared first on SLAM.

“It’s a blessing to be in an organization like this,” Simmons said. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the floor and building something great here.”

Simmons believes things will get ‘very scary’ in Brooklyn when the team is at full strength. As for when he would return, he was optimistic but gave no date.

“I don’t have a date yet, but I’m working towards getting back on the floor,” he said. “No date yet, but I’m starting to ramp it up.”

When he eventually gets on the floor, Simmons believes he can bring a lot to the table for the Brooklyn Nets.

“I think it’s just staying aggressive and playing to my strengths. That’s being a play-maker, making the right plays, and setting my guys up. Defensively, locking down who I need to lock down,” Simmons said about his fit with the team. “I’m excited to get on the floor with these guys. Incredible team and incredible talent. I’m super excited.”

Simmons also spoke on his mental health, which was widely reported as playing a key role in Simmons’ trade request and refusal to play for the 76ers. When asked about how things got so bad in Philadelphia, he stated:

“But there’s just a lot of things internally that had to happen over time. And it just got to a place where I don’t think it was good for me mentally. So it is what it is. It happened, and [I’m] moving forward.”

Already feeling welcomed by Brooklyn, it seems like it will be easier for Simmons to move forward.

“For me, it felt like it should feel always. My teammates embraced me as soon as I got here,” said Simmons about being back on an NBA bench. “The fans were very welcoming, which was great. The energy, around the locker room and in the building, was terrific.”

The post Ben Simmons ‘Blessed’ to be a Brooklyn Net, No Timetable for Return appeared first on SLAM.

Bembry was clearly a hot target in free agency, as reports indicate he may already be prepared to sign with a new team.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Bembry is “closing in” on signing a deal to join the Milwaukee Bucks in the coming days.

Following the Nets blockbuster trade deadline deal that sent James Harden to Philadelphia in exchange for Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, and Seth Curry, Brooklyn had to waive someone to create roster space for the incoming players; that player turned out to be Bembry.

Before being cut, Bembry was a pivotal contributor to the Nets, starting in 20 of the 48 games he played in, averaging 19.8 minutes, 5.8 points, and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Bembry’s addition will be a big help to a Bucks team dealing with a shortage of back-court players at the moment. Pat Connaughton, George Hill, and Wesley Matthews are currently out with injuries, and Donte DiVincenzo was traded to the Sacramento Kings.

The Bucks will need Bembry at his best, as Milwaukee is heading to the second half of the season in a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks (36-23) are currently third in the East, just 1.5 games back of the first-place Miami Heat, and only 2.0 games up on the sixth place Boston Celtics.

The post REPORT: DeAndre’ Bembry Close to Signing With Bucks appeared first on SLAM.

Philly, we go Hard(en). pic.twitter.com/hfjdxVmlSw

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 12, 2022

Joel Embiid had a chance to speak his thoughts on the trade after the Sixers took care of the Thunder for their 33rd win of the season via ESPN.

“Yeah, I’m happy that I’m not going to be answering any more questions about that subject,” Embiid said after finishing with 25 points and 19 rebounds in 35 minutes in a 100-87 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Wells Fargo Center Friday night. “It’s good that not just for me, but my teammates, the whole organization. The whole year, it was pretty annoying with the whole situation, but I’m glad that everybody has moved on.”

“I wish everybody the best in whatever they want to accomplish, but I’m focused on winning games here and trying to win a championship.”

Joel Embiid was locked in on both ends of the floor for the @sixers in their win!@JoelEmbiid: 25 PTS, 19 REB, 4 AST, 5 BLK pic.twitter.com/n7JufVz5CH

— NBA (@NBA) February 12, 2022

Harden, who has missed several games due to a hamstring injury, is not expected to play Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. That leaves only two games for Harden to play before the All-Star break, either against the Boston Celtics at home Tuesday or the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks.

But in true Troel fashion, he explained the tweet he sent out after the trade went down.

pic.twitter.com/OzKxG4HRlO

— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 10, 2022

“Honestly, I don’t even know what the tweet was about,” Embiid said with a sly smile. “I just tweeted a random person. I just saw the picture on the internet, and I thought he was well dressed. He had a nice suit on, good looking, you know, he had some swag.”

“So I just thought it was a good picture.”

The post Joel Embiid ‘Happy’ Philadelphia 76ers Has Moved On From Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

Ben Simmons has already talked to Kevin Durant and Sean Marks, @KlutchSports' Rich Paul tells ESPN. Simmons is eager to join Nets and ramp up for a return to play this season, Paul says. "We've got to work to do to get him back to play, but it's a great step in right direction."

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022

Woj reported that Simmons is eager to join the Nets but has to ramp up his conditioning before returning to the court. When the former All-Star suits up for his Brooklyn debut, it’ll be the first game he’s played all season after he requested to be traded from the 76ers in the offseason due to mental health issues and a back injury that’s plagued Simmons since October.

“We’ve got to work to do to get him back to play, but it’s a great step in right direction.” Klutch Sports CEO and Simmons’ agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN.

For his career, Simmons has averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game since entering the League in 2016.

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons Eager to Join Kevin Durant and the Nets appeared first on SLAM.

According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, the Nets are flipping the Beard and Paul Millsap for Ben Simmons and 76ers sharpshooter Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and draft capital.

BREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are finalizing trade sending James Harden for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and draft picks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2022

There was a will-they-won’t-they vibe coming from the Nets as they’ve suffered through a nine-game losing streak after Kevin Durant went down with an MCL sprain, and Harden has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. They’ve also been contending with Kyrie Irving, who remains unvaccinated but, as a part-time player, gets to play games on the road.

The same goes for the 76ers, who received a trade request from Ben Simmons after being heavily criticized by Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid after the 6ers lost to the Hawks in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. 

Since then, reports have flip-flopped on Harden wanting to leave Brooklyn, only for ESPN to confirm that the Beard does want to leave but is wary of the backlash that’ll come with making a trade request from his second team in as many years. 

Simmons’ trade request also boils down to his reported mental health issues after hearing his coach and long-time teammate publicly question what’s behind his struggles to deliver a title to the 76ers. Before Thursday’s blockbuster trade between the 76ers and Nets, Simmons was linked to the Timberwolves, Kings, Trail Blazers, and the Hawks.

They were asked to essentially sell the house just to acquire Simmons, forcing the Kings out of the Simmons Sweepstakes.

The Nets play the Wizards on Thursday, and the 76ers play the Thunder on Friday.

The post REPORT: James Harden Traded to the 76ers appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Simmons has been fined over $19 million for sitting out this season.

“SIMMONS HAS LOST over $19 million in fines since the season began (each missed game costs him $360,000). He hasn’t cleared a paycheck since the $8.25 million (25% of his $33 million salary) that was due to him Oct. 1. Every two weeks the team sends a notice with an explanation of all the fines he has accumulated for failing to render services, instead of a $1.375 million paycheck. By the end of the season, if he does not play for the Sixers or any other team, Simmons could lose another $12 million.”

‘”We don’t give a f— about the money,” one source close to Simmons says. “That’s not what this is. It’s hard for people to understand. But if you believe in what you’re doing and that this is not the right situation for you, and you’re trying to get to a better place, the money doesn’t matter. Obviously it’s a financial hit. But you adjust.”‘

Simmons has yet to suit up for the 76ers this season, as he has sat out the entire season thus far, waiting for Philadelphia to trade him. Thus far, that trade hasn’t come to fruition, and if he’s not moved, Simmons may well sit out the entire season.

According to Shelburne, the situation between Simmons and the 76ers had reportedly gotten bad enough to the point where he ignored calls and texts from 76ers head coach Doc Rivers.

In his absence, the 76ers have produced a solid season so far, currently second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 31-19, just one game back of the Chicago Bulls.

If Philadelphia wishes to trade Simmons, it doesn’t have long to do it, with the NBA’s trade deadline less than two weeks away on Thursday, Feb. 10.

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons Has Accumulated $19 Million in Fines This Season appeared first on SLAM.

Inside of two weeks until the February 10 NBA trade deadline, the Kings believe the asking price for Simmons is too steep and that a pathway to reaching an agreement with the Sixers doesn’t exist, sources said.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2022

The Kings was one of the more aggressive teams for Simmons offering rumored deals surrounding guards DeAaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, but the team now believes the asking price is too high for Simmons, and they have run out of feasible offers.

Sacramento has players like Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, and Richaun Holmes to easily match Simmons’ contract salary, along with rumors of James Harden being unhappy in Brooklyn. Wojnarowski believes an in-season trade at this point could be unlikely, and the team could wait until the offseason to make a deal.

Ben Simmons continues to sit out due to mental health reasons and still hasn’t changed his mind on his trade requests. On the other hand, Simmons is signed with 6ers through the 2024-25 season, which gives them patience and leverage to wait on a deal.

The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a 29-19 start, two games behind the first-place Miami Heat, while the Sacramento Kings are in 13th in the Western Conference at 18-32 after losing five straight.

The post REPORT: Sacramento Kings Out of the Running For Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

The list of players the Sixers currently are monitoring is just as long as the rumors in the news cycle of potential players that included Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox, and Draymond Green going back to last summer.

Morey and the team recently discussed a potential Simmons package with the Atlanta Hawks for John Collins. But as soon as Tobias Harris was added to the deal, the Hawks quickly said no, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

“The 76ers and Hawks briefly kicked around a trade of Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris for John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Danilo Gallinari, League sources told HoopsHype. However, those talks stalled quickly, with Atlanta uninterested in Harris and unlikely to be able to flip him to a third team.”

This year, the Sixers have been looking for specific pieces to put around Embiid for a championship run. Collins’ athleticism and his ability to defend inspired Philadelphia to put an offer together. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Sam Amick, the asking price for the Sixers hasn’t changed.

“In return for Simmons, the 76ers have wanted a top-level All-Star or a package featuring a bevy of first-round draft picks for Simmons.”

It is understood that this Simmons deal may be pushed back to the offseason, especially with rumors of James Harden being unhappy in Brooklyn.

The post REPORT: Philadelphia 76ers Made A Ben Simmons Offer For John Collins appeared first on SLAM.

Because of this, and the strong play of superstar center Joel Embiid, 76ers’ General Manager Daryl Morey said while on 97.5 The Fanatic that he would consider expanded options for Simmons as the trade deadline approaches in the next few weeks.

The pressure for Morey to move Simmons could be heating up; despite his absence, Philadelphia is fifth in the east with a 26-18 record. Some recent reports from The Athletic indicate that Simmons has no intention of playing for the 76ers even if he doesn’t get moved before the deadline.

“Make no mistake, sources close to Simmons continue to insist that he’ll sit out the entire season if a deal isn’t done by the deadline.”

Simmons, who has not played a game for Philadelphia this season, is a three-time All-Star and a two-time All-Defensive team member in just four seasons of play in the NBA.

The NBA’s trade deadline is Feb. 10, now only a few weeks away with questions still aplenty about the future of Simmons.

The post REPORT: Daryl Morey Open to Further Trade Possibilities for Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

According to The Athletic, the Kings will remain active in trade conversations but have informed teams in the trade market that are intent on building their franchise around Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. The Kings reportedly informed Fox and his representation that they do not want to trade him and want to center the team around him and Haliburton as well.

The Athletic further reports that a deal for Domantas Sabonis will not happen. It remains to be seen how the Kings decision will impact their ability to trade for Ben Simmons.

According to Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee, the Sacrament Kings are shopping De’Aaron Fox in trade talks for Indiana Pacers All-Star Domantas Sabonis and Ben Simmons ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline in February,

Fox was reportedly off the table in trade discussions during the offseason, but the Kings (18-28) are 11th in the Western Conference and have reversed course as they fight for a spot in the play-in tournament.

The Kings were also rumored to have been involved in trade talks with the Philadelphia 7ers for Simmons during the offseason, but negotiations stalled since the Kings didn’t want to give up Fox. That has reportedly changed, per Anderson, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported on The Athletic NBA Show podcast that he sees Sabonis and Simmons as the KIngs’ two biggest priorities ahead of the trade deadline.

The Kings rewarded Fox with a five-year contract extension after the 24-year-old point guard averaged a career-high 25.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game last season while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from deep. The front-office brass reportedly had lofty expectations of Fox, expecting the Kentucky product to match or exceed those numbers during the 2021-2022 season.

Through 42 games, Fox is putting 20.9 points, 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds on 45.7 percent shooting from the field, and a career-worse 25.3 percent from downtown.

For Sabonis, his name has been involved in trade talks since December. The Pacers are 15-29, 13th in the East, and are reportedly looking to rebuild and move Sabonis, Caris LeVert, and Myles Turner. The two-time All-Star has put up solid numbers, averaging 18.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.0 steal per game on top of shooting 57.3 percent from the floor.

Exchanging Fox for Sabonis or Simmons could reverse the fortunes of the Kings who have toiled through two decades of perennial futility. Sacramento hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2005-06, the longest active drought in the League by 10 years. Trading Sabonis, LeVert, and Turner will only accelerate the Pacers’ reported intent to rebuild.

The post REPORT: Kings Intend On Keeping De’Aaron Fox and Building Around Him and Tyrese Haliburton appeared first on SLAM.

“The Philadelphia 76ers canvassed the prospect of a Fox, Ben Simmons trade package as recently as a few days ago, but dialogue remains exploratory due diligence, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The Kings, under second-year general manager Monte McNair, are expected to be aggressively active at the trade deadline, sources said. The front office has been given the green light by team owner Vivek Radavine to survey all options with the goal of drastically improving the roster.”

With the Interest in Fox and his backcourt teammate, Tyrese Haliburton, increasing with each passing day, Fox understands this is a part of the business of being in the NBA. His focus right now is not worrying about things he can’t control.

“If you do have a change of scenery, it changes everything. I’ve been here for five years. I’ve built a life here, a family here. But once I’m on the court, all that is out the window.” Fox said. “You’re not thinking about anything else that can happen outside of your control. 

But I’ve been through some deadlines. I’ve seen people get traded at the last second. You try not to think about it, but you know it’s a business, and anything can happen. I’m not sure what’s going to happen. Obviously, you see reports on Twitter. Am I worried about it? No. Can it happen? Yeah, it can definitely happen.”

Simmons reportedly has already made it clear that he is “open” to a trade to the Kings back in October.

De’Aaron Fox is averaging 20.9 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds this season.

The post De’Aaron Fox Speaks On Potential Ben Simmons Trade Rumors appeared first on SLAM.

Those rumors continued this week when ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on “The Scoop W/ Doogie” podcast that the Minnesota Timberwolves have offered an extensive number of trades to the 76ers for Simmons.

“From what I understand, the Wolves have pretty much offered every asset package they could possibly offer for Ben Simmons except for Anthony Edwards and Karl (Anthony)Towns,” Windhorst said.

In the same episode, Darren Wolfson, the host of the podcast, said that Simmons remains “on the Wolves radar” despite the lack of a deal thus far.

Simmons has yet to appear in a game for the 76ers this season, sitting out citing mental health issues and a back injury since the preseason. Prior to this season, Simmons has more than proved his worth on the court, being named to three All-Star teams, two All-Defensive teams, and one All-NBA team in just four full seasons in the league.

However, the Timberwolves may not even need Simmons as they have shown to be a much-improved team so far this year. Minnesota is currently in the thick of a playoff fight sitting at eighth in the Western Conference with a record of 20-20.

The 76ers, despite the absence of Simmons, are still putting together a strong season, and sit at fifth in the Eastern Conference currently with a record of 23-16.

The post REPORT: Minnesota Timberwolves Remain Interested in Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

On Wednesday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported via his podcast that the New Orleans Pelicans are interested in trading draft picks for Simmons.

“I heard the Pelicans discussed trading future first-round picks and pick swaps with the 76ers for Ben Simmons, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto said.

Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who joined Scotto on the podcast, chimed in that the 76ers aren’t currently looking to trade Simmons for anything less than a star player. That could make a Pelicans trade involving draft picks unlikely.

“They don’t have to move Ben just to move him and not waste a year of Embiid’s prime. They really believe that if they move Simmons for anything less than they value him, they’ll be sacrificing multiple years of Embiid’s prime for not maximizing Simmons as a trade asset,” Fischer said.

Simmons has yet to step on the court for Philadelphia this season, with reports indicating he no longer wants to play for the 76ers. However, when Simmons was playing, he was dominant.

Over four seasons in the NBA, Simmons has been named to three All-Star teams, one All-NBA team, two All-Defensive teams while averaging 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game for his career.

With Simmons’ absence, the 76ers have struggled to open the year, sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-14. The Pelicans had started slow and toiled even more than their potential trade partner, sitting second bottom of the Western Conference with a 9-21 record.

The post REPORT: Pelicans Looking to Trade Draft Picks for Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN’s top NBA insider, Adrian Wojnarowski, Damian Lillard is unavailable. New interim general manager Joe Cronin plans to execute the franchise’s goals of building around their All-Star.

Lillard has repeatedly expressed his commitment to want to remain in Portland on his current long-term contract, and interim GM Joe Cronin has also expressed a strong commitment to continue building the franchise around the All-NBA guard.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 10, 2021

Instead, the Blazers tried to discuss another deal that included possibly moving guard CJ McCollum instead but were quickly rebuffed.

Simmons has not suited up to play for the Sixers this season after requesting a trade shortly after last year’s playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Then after initially refusing to show up for training camp and being fined, he told the team he did not feel mentally ready to play. The Sixers, however, continued to fine Simmons at times throughout this period while refusing any deal that they believed would be a fair return. A hard stance that Philly executive Daryl Morey stated could go on for a long time.

What is being factored in all of the potential Simmons trade talks is the options Philly has on Wednesday. As of December 15, free agents who signed new contracts over the summer are considered eligible to be traded. All told, that’s an additional 106 players or almost 25 percent of the league. According to ESPN, 84 percent of the 446 players are eligible. This potential flexibility explains why Morey and the Sixers were content to play the waiting game. 

The post REPORT: Blazers Remove Damian Lillard From Ben Simmons Trade Talks appeared first on SLAM.

According to Marc Stein, it is rumored that “Simmons would welcome the opportunity to play for [Gregg] Popovich if the Spurs found a way to acquire him.”

With that, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has put out a possible scenario for the deal to get done. The deal included Dejounte Murray, Devin Vassell and Doug McDermott.

Buckley writes: Add elite defense to the equation, and Murray might qualify as a “difference-maker,” which is the stated target of 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey in the Simmons trade talks. Murray could check a lot of the same boxes as Simmons, albeit with far less size (6’4″, 180 lbs. to Simmons’ 6’11”, 240 lbs.) but more shooting. What could tip the scales for Philly are the additions of Devin Vassell, a three-and-D wing with some off-the-dribble verve, and Doug McDermott, a 6’7″ sniper and clever off-ball cutter. All three players could factor into the Sixers’ rotation right now, and this underperforming roster could use the relief.

Whether these players are among the 30 players the Sixers are looking at based on a report from The Athletic’s Sam Amick, in a potential deal for Simmons is unclear.

But for now, it seems that one side is rumored to be interested.

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons ‘Would Welcome the Opportunity’ to Play for Gregg Popovich in San Antonio appeared first on SLAM.

According to sources close to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Sam Amick, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has expressed interest in playing alongside Philadelphia 76ers three-time All-Star Ben Simmons.

The 11-13 Blazers’ defensive struggles have persisted, ranking 30th in the League in defensive rating (113.3). The acquisition of Simmons would surely invigorate the teams’ defensive ability and mindset, allowing head coach Chauncey Billups to utilize a small-ball lineup capitalizing on what would be their newly acquired athleticism and length on the court.

There were also reports of Lillard growing frustration with the team’s play alongside a rise in tension between the group and Billups. The initial tweet was quote tweeted by a user questioning the report’s validity if it hadn’t come directly from Lillard, to which the six-time All-Star jumped in and cleared the air.

These mfs love drama too damn much. https://t.co/ej15TkAybZ

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) December 6, 2021

Lillard’s production this season has seen a dip as well, averaging 21.5 points and 7.8 assists per game on 39.7 percent shooting from the field. However, an MRI last week confirmed Lillard has been playing with an abdominal injury since capturing gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The pairing between Lillard and Simmons has been rumored for months. In October, the Blazers rejected a trade package including CJ McCollum, three first-round picks, and three pick swaps for Simmons. Following Neil Olshey’s firing after an investigation into workplace harassment, interim general manager Joe Cronin will have a run of the gambit for potential suitors to place around Lillard.

The post REPORT: Damian Lillard Interested in Playing Alongside Sixers Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

Though a recent report has claimed the Sixers has a list of 30 players that will satisfy them in a trade, Sam Amick from the Athletic. One of those players’ names has recently been released. 

Liberty Ballers is reporting that a source close to the 76ers indicates that the Oklahoma City Thunder guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is one of the players on the list. There have been internal discussions in acquiring the third-year guard out of Kentucky.

Have heard that the #Sixers recently held internal talks about acquiring Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a potential Ben Simmons swap. OKC is also a key team to watch as a facilitator in a potential multiteam deal.
Nothing likely, just something to watch.

— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) December 3, 2021

Though there isn’t any report that the Thunder (6-16) are ready to move off Gilgeous-Alexander, the Sixers could also be apprehensive about pulling off a trade that wouldn’t increase their championship odds.

The Thunder seems like an ideal trade partner as the franchise is loaded with draft picks and young players.

You can also consider the history between Sam Presti and Daryl Morey, team, presidents of the Thunder, and Sixers. The Thunder traded James Harden to the Rockets back in 2012. They also facilitated a Russell Westbrook–Chris Paul trade to reunite Harden and Westbrook.

The Thunder are currently navigating year two of their rebuild, and the Sixers are looking to regroup Friday against the Hawks.

The post The Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers Emerge As Trade Partners appeared first on SLAM.

In just his second NBA season, Maxey is an early candidate for the most improved player in the league. In fact, over his last six games he’s averaged 25.7 points, 4.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds per contest. 

Maxey has done this efficiently, shooting 48.1% from deep and 92.0% from the free throw line. 

Although he was great as a rookie, Maxey’s play has been on a new level this season. The Kentucky product is proving to be one of the best players in the sophomore class. 

Overall on the season, the former first-round pick is averaging 18.4 points, 4.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. While he doesn’t do everything Simmons does on the floor, he’s been a huge reason that the Sixers have earned a 9-8 record on the season while being shorthanded. 

The post Tyrese Maxey Continues to Emerge in Absence of Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

According to Sam Amick of The Atheltic, the 76ers have a list of around 30 players they would be willing to trade for Simmons.

“Here’s the part that may come as a surprise: A source with knowledge of the list said there are approximately 30 players who would satisfy the Sixers in a Simmons swap, and there’s an internal belief that a fair amount of them — let’s say five to 10 — could become available in the next year or two,” Amick wrote.

Amick also goes on to report that his sources within the 76ers believe “this is like a multi-year thing.”

Simmons has yet to play for the 76ers this year, citing mental health struggles as the reason for his absence. Simmons has also made it clear to Philadelphia that he wants to be traded out of the organization. However, Ammick wrote that when Simmons met with Sixers personnel in LA with his agent, Rich Paul, mental health was reportedly not the motive behind his dissatisfaction.

“This is no longer about a trade,” Paul said. “This is about finding a place where we can help Ben get back to his mental strength and get back on the floor. I want him on the floor playing the game that he loves. I want Ben on the floor, whether that’s in a 76ers uniform or any other uniform. That’s not up to me, but I want him in a state where he can resume play. We want to cooperate and want to work him back on the floor.

Without Simmons, the 76ers have gotten off to a mediocre start to the year, holding a record of 8-7 and sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers return to action Saturday opposite the Trail Blazers (8-8).

The post REPORT: 76ers Have List of ‘Approximately 30 Players’ for Ben Simmons Trade appeared first on SLAM.

#NEBHInjuryReport update: Jaylen Brown will likely miss 1-2 weeks with a right hamstring strain, according to Coach Udoka.

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 8, 2021

Brown suffered the injury last week against the Miami Heat (7-3). Brown missed their next game against the Dallas Mavericks (6-4).

Green is off to a great start this season, putting up a career-high 25.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists on 49.3 percent shooting from the field over the first eight games of the season. Brown is also leading the Celtics in scoring thus far into the season.

According to League insider Shams Charania, the Celtics have reportedly expressed interest in Ben Simmons, and while trade talks have been fluid, the asking price remains high. Charania reported that Brown would have to be involved in any package where Simmons gets traded.

The Celtics return to the court Wednesday, playing in the crib against the Raptors (6-5).

The post Celtics Jaylen Brown to Miss 1-2 Weeks Hamstring Injury appeared first on SLAM.

The tug of war between Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers continued this week as the team has reportedly fined their All-Star guard $360,000 after missing Thursday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski

Wojnarowski reports that the Sixers will resume the fines until Simmons starts “cooperating” with team physicians on his mental health along with completing other “basketball-related obligations.” Sources claim that the Sixers will place Simmons’ future salary into an escrow account.

Last month, there were reports that Simmons had met with medical professionals, teammates and head coach Doc Rivers and has expressed that he’s not “mentally ready” to play. ESPN reports that since the summer, he has been working with mental health professionals via the NBPA. They also report that while he has shown up consistently to the team’s facility for “some daily basketball activity” with specific coaches and teammates, he has reportedly been “unwilling to share information on his course of action in pursuing mental health treatment.”

Simmons was runner-up for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year last year and is a three-time All-Star. His career averages stand at 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists.

The post REPORT: Sixers Fine Ben Simmons $360K For Missing Matchup Against Pistons appeared first on SLAM.

The Sixers now say Tobias Harris is out due to the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols. Furkan Korkmaz is starting in his place. Philly is already without Joel Embiid, who is resting tonight, in addition to Ben Simmons.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) November 1, 2021

Harris, who missed Monday’s 113-103 win against the Portland Trail Blazers, will be given a timetable for his return after 12-24 hours per ESPN Insider Adrian Wojnarowski’s report.

So far through seven games this season, Harris is currently the second-leading scorer on the Sixers, averaging 19.8 points and 9.0 rebounds along with 4.2 assists. Furkan Korkmaz will start in his place. 

It’s a significant loss to a Sixers’ roster, who will be without All-Star Ben Simmons, who hasn’t played a game yet this season, and Joel Embiid, who is dealing with a nagging knee injury. The Sixers are currently 5-2 and sit at fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They play a League-leading Chicago Bulls (6-1) on Wednesday.

Tobias Harris is the second player announced to be in the League’s health and safety protocol, along with Kevin Love.

The post Sixers Tobias Harris Enters Health and Safety Protocol appeared first on SLAM.

Morey, when speaking to Mike Missanelli on 97.5, The Fanatic warned 76ers fans that there is no clear end in sight for the Simmons drama.

“So people should buckle in,” he said. “This is going to go for a long time, because my only job is to help us have the best chance to win the title. Ben Simmons is a difference maker, so if we can get him back, he will help us win the title. If we can trade Ben Simmons for a difference maker, we will do it. I think that’s best for everyone in this situation.”

“You guys think I’m kidding,” he added. “I’m not. This could be four years. The conditions that I’m pointing out to you don’t change. Unless Ben Simmons is traded for a difference maker, we’re in the prime of (Joel Embiid’s) career. We have to get back either Ben Simmons playing well for us, who helps us win the championship, or we have to get back a difference maker for Ben Simmons — or this could be four years from now and we’re still like, hey, we took the best shot at it we could.” 

On Tuesday, Simmons was kicked out by head coach Doc Rivers and subsequently suspended for the season opener. He then showed up to the team facility on Thursday and reportedly noted “back tightness” to the team’s staff.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted Friday morning that Simmons met with the team’s medical professionals, as well as Rivers, and echoed that he’s “not mentally ready to play to his expectations.”

Simmons is a three-time All-Star with career averages of 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game.

The post Daryl Morey Comments on Ben Simmons Situation: ‘This is Going to Go For a Long Time’ appeared first on SLAM.

Simons also reportedly “described back tightness” to team staff members and was treated for it on Thursday. He then was cleared to participate.

With that, The Athletics’ Shams Charania reports that Simmons is “currently not mentally ready to play for the team.” He also reports that the All-Star will not play in Friday’s matchup against the Nets and that he isn’t expected to compete for “an undetermined period of time.”

Simmons did not play in Philly’s season opener win against the Pelicans after facing a suspension due to “conduct detrimental to the team.” He was thrown out of practice on Tuesday after reportedly refusing to take part in team drills.

According to Wojnarowski, Simmons is “expected” to arrive to the team’s shootaround early on Friday morning to “discuss his playing status.”

Amidst the Simmons saga, head coach Doc Rivers mentioned how this predicament is “no fun” and that he wants Simmons to play:

“It’s a predicament that we’re in and that part is no fun, it really isn’t,” Rivers says per ESPN. “We get to play right now, Ben’s not—I want Ben to be playing, you know, that’s his job.”

“I don’t like any player losing money. There’s so many things about this that I don’t like. But that still doesn’t mean you don’t have to do your job.”

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons Misses Scheduled Workout, Was Treated For ‘Back Tightness’ appeared first on SLAM.

Simmons, who recently rejoined the Sixers after clearing COVID protocol, was tossed out of the team practice Tuesday morning for “not being engaged,” according to Philadelphia Sixers beat reporter Keith Pompey.

ESPN Insider, Adrian Wojnarowski also reports that Simmons refused to participate in specific drills.

“I just thought he was a distraction today,” Sixers head coach Doc Rivers said following practice per NBC Sports. “I didn’t think he wanted to do what everybody else was doing. It was early (in practice). It wasn’t a big deal. I just told him he should leave then, and we went on with practice.”

Per ESPN, when Rivers was asked if Simmons would return to practice “possibly as soon as Thursday or Friday morning,” Rivers said that, “we’re gonna expect that, yes.”

“Every day, every single moment, I’m going to give Ben a chance to join the team, and be part of the team,” Rivers said. “He’s under contract to be part of the team, and that’s not going to change. Sometimes it happens quick and guys join back in, and sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve been in both situations, and I’m fine with that.

On top of the recent suspension, Simmons has also been reportedly fined $1.4 million for missing all four of the team’s preseason games and has “levied numerous team fines for missed practices, on-court workouts and meetings.”

The post Ben Simmons Suspended For Season Opener Against Pelicans appeared first on SLAM.

The latest development in this ongoing story comes on Friday when the The Athletic’s David Aldrige reveals that Simmons would be open to a trade to the Sacramento Kings.

“I’ve written this on Simmons to Sac before, and the rationale still holds. Simmons is an elite defensive player. He’s an elite passer. He has four years left on his deal. (He would have no problem going to Sacramento, I’m told, so strong is his desire to get out of Philadelphia.)”

It remains to be seen whether Ben Simmons gives in and shows up to the Sixers.

What was made clear to @sam_amick is that all hope of reconciliation is gone.

More: https://t.co/5z4nkg2gr3 pic.twitter.com/hkKBOrSaCe

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) October 8, 2021

Earlier in the Summer, reports came out that Simmons had an interest in playing for three different California teams leaving Kings fans to question if they were amongst one of those group teams.

It was also reported that the Sixers asking price was too steep for the Sacramento with the Kings having no interest in trading franchise centerpieces such as De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton.

Sacramento has since drafted former Baylor standout Davion Mitchell, and Aldrige notes that the Kings’ current backcourt log jam could be fixed if Haliburton or Mitchell is utilized as the main piece in a Simmons trade.

Veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield’s name has also shown up in multiple trade rumors regarding the 76ers.

While Kings have struggled to gain any consistency, missing the playoffs for 16 consecutive seasons, pulling off a trade for one of the best young players in the game in Simmons could certainly help trigger the turnaround. Stay tuned for more details and updates as Simmons’ time in Philadelphia comes to a close.

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons Open to Trade to the Sacramento Kings appeared first on SLAM.

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Indiana Pacers and 76ers have reportedly discussed a trade involving Caris LeVert—a player many in and around the league believe to have All-Star potential—and Simmons.

However, the Pacers aren’t the only team who have reported interest in Simmons, with the Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angles Clippers, and more rumored to be engaged with Philadelphia as well.

LeVert is a recent addition for Indiana, getting sent that way from the Brooklyn Nets following the multi-team trade that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets and Victor Oladipo to the Houston Rockets.

Last season, LeVert missed time after a medical with the team discovered that he had a cancerous mass on his kidney that needed surgery. Following the surgery, LeVert managed to play in 35 games for Indiana with averages of 20.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

Simmons himself had a strong regular season in Philadelphia, being named to his third All-Star game while averaging 14.3 points, 6.9 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Until he is traded, Simmons is refusing to play for the 76ers and was not present for the team’s opening preseason game on Monday night.

The post REPORT: Sixers Discussing Potential Simmons-LeVert Trade with Pacers appeared first on SLAM.

For three-time All-Star Ben Simmons—a franchise pillar for a perennial playoff contender and one of the most consistent players in the league—the latter scenario has led to him all but demanding a trade from Philadelphia.

This despite signing a five-year, $167 million max contract extension with the Sixers in 2019.

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul told the Sixers that Simmons was “mentally exhausted” after four seasons with the team.

Pompey adds that Philadelphia may have disregarded Simmons’ “state of mind” because of the “four years remaining on his contract.”

Ever since the Sixers’ stunning elimination in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, one in which a passive moment by Simmons became arguably the most discussed play in the sporting world, Simmons has received a sizable amount of negative publicity with many questioning his hit beside franchise cornerstone Joel Embiid.

Those questions are legitimate considering Simmons’ inclination—if not outright need—to score in the paint and Embiid’s proficiency scoring inside the arc. However, the way the Sixers—namely Embiid and head coach Doc Rivers—went about questioning Simmons in the public eye only serves to highlight an unhealthy locker room environment.

Though Simmons is accountable for his mental lapse in the postseason and only incremental offensive development since entering the league, the discourse about him as a player has discounted that he’s an elite defender (Defensive Player of the Year runner-up last season) and facilitator (he holds the Sixers’ highest assist per game average all-time) who is brilliant on the fast break.

Being pegged as the source of the Sixers’ issues, particularly by those within the organization, would have to be exhausting indeed.

The post Ben Simmons Has Been ‘Mentally Exhausted’ in Philly appeared first on SLAM.

A league source said the Timberwolves, Pacers, Cavaliers, Pistons, Raptors and Spurs are still inquiring about Ben Simmons’ availability.

Simmons vs. Sixers: An inside look at a messy NBA divorce https://t.co/pF1YNcWHBK via @phillyinquirer

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 2, 2021

The Minnesota Timberwolves, who are reportedly unwilling to give up Karl Anthony-Towns or Anthony Edwards in any deal for Simmons, as well as Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors and the San Antonio Spurs have all reached out to the Sixers in hopes for a potential deal. There were earlier rumors about a deal with Golden State but Warriors owner Joe Lacob questioned Simmons’ fit on the team.

The next chapter of this ongoing story comes Monday, when the 76ers open up their preseason with a matchup against the Raptors. The team already has held $8.25 million of Simmons’ salary on October 1st. If Simmons misses Monday’s game, he faces a fine of roughly $227,000 and will continue for every game he is not present going forward.

Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game for the Sixers last year. His second place finish in the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year voting showcased the two way talents that helped him make his third-straight All-Star appearance.

The post REPORT: Six Teams Have Inquired About the Availability of Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

And, although many teams throughout the league would benefit from acquiring last season’s runner-up to the Defensive Player of the Year award, the one we can officially scratch off the list is the Golden State Warriors.

In a report from Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle, Warriors owner Joe Lacob openly questioned Simmons’s fit on the Warriors roster.

“In some ways, it doesn’t really fit what we’re doing. He makes a lot of money. And, can he finish games? I don’t know,” Lacob said.

“He’s very talented. The problem is: We have Draymond. Draymond and he are very similar in the sense that neither one really shoots and they do a lot of the playmaking. That’s one issue. The salary structure is another.”

Golden State have been pegged as a potential trade destination for Simmons since the initial reports stating that Simmons wanted to play for a California team back in August.

However, as Lacob noted, the Warriors would have a difficult time figuring out a deal around Simmons $33 million salary (which will increase to $40 million dollars by 2022-23).

The Warriors were one of the teams that Sixers president Daryl Morey called this offseason in an attempt to move Simmons, Pompey notes.

At the time, the proposed package included Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, the No. 7 and No. 14 picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, along with two other first-round picks. Once the Warriors declined, trade the talks died down.

Simmons future seems still be up in the air, now with Tuesday, reports from ESPN Adrian Wojnorawski, stating that Simmons wont report to the Sixers training camp.

The post Warriors Owner Joe Lacob Questions Logic of Ben Simmons Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Jon Krawczynski gave insight into the Timberwolves’ perspective on Simmons on The Athletic NBA Show last week. 

According to Krawczynski, Minnesota doesn’t want to trade Anthony Edwards or Karl-Anthony Towns in any Simmons deal, calling those guys ‘deal-breakers’. Furthermore, while they’d be more likely to part ways with D’Angelo Russell, they’d prefer not to include him in a package for Simmons either. 

Without those three players in a deal, there’s not many appealing packages from Philadelphia’s perspective. With their desire to win now even after moving Simmons, future draft picks will only go so far. In this situation, Malik Beasley would have to be the centerpiece of the deal, which is likely why no deal has been close to this point. 

If the Timberwolves were able to pull this off, a core of Simmons, Towns, Russell and Edwards would become an immediate playoff contender. 

The Sixers have had a high asking point for Simmons to this point, so it will be interesting to see what they ultimately get in return for him. Last season, Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game while making his third-straight NBA All-Star team. This is exactly why Philadelphia isn’t interested in selling low on him. 

The post Minnesota Not Interested In Moving Towns or Edwards In Any Simmons Deal With Philadelphia appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Tim Bontemps, the 76ers were planning on keeping Simmons before he decided to hold out.

“The Sixers intended to tell Simmons they couldn’t find a deal for him and hoped to put aside differences and enter the season on the same page, sources said,” the pair wrote.

Now, reports say that Simmons will not be attending training camp when it starts at the end of the month.

Simmons is coming off a good season for Philadelphia that saw him make his third All-Star game in only four seasons in the NBA, averaging 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. However, many blame the 76ers’ second-round exit from the NBA Playoffs last year on the poor offensive play of Simmons, leading to the months of rumors this offseason.

There’s reportedly a long list of teams interested in Simmons, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and more. Simmons also is reportedly only interested in moving to one of the teams located in California.

NBA training camp begins on Sept. 28, with preseason games following shortly after on Oct. 7.

The post 76ers Reportedly Wanted to Keep Ben Simmons Prior to Hold Out appeared first on SLAM.

With that in mind, Porter Jr. is eligible for an extension prior to the start of the 2021-22 season. According to Mike Singer of the Denver Post, contract negotiations between the Nuggets and his agent Mark Bartelstein are going smooth and a the direction Porter Jr. is happy about. 

Last season in a breakout year, Porter Jr. averaged 19.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 44.5 percent from deep. Still just 23 years old, he’s clearly one of the most intriguing young players in the entire league. 

Especially in the modern NBA, a guy who’s able to shoot as well as Porter Jr. does at 6-foot-10 is extremely rare. If he’s able to continue to make his game more well-rounded, he truly has a superstar ceiling. 

The post Michael Porter Jr. Is Optimistic About Contract Extension With Nuggets appeared first on SLAM.

According to Marc Stein, the Cavaliers are continuing to keep their hat in the ring to try to pry Simmons from Philadelphia. 

It’s unclear exactly what Cleveland would offer, but you’d have to assume Collin Sexton would be part of the package. Either way, the Sixers have had an extremely high asking price for Simmons to this point. 

Last season, Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. With a ton of young talent, the Cavaliers would only raise their ceiling if they were able to acquire the three-time NBA All-Star. 

While there’s a chance the Sixers carry Simmons into the start of next season, it’s likely that they’ll continue to shop him even more aggressively over the next few weeks. 

The post Cavaliers Continue To Monitor Ben Simmons Situation With Sixers appeared first on SLAM.

One team that makes sense for Simmons is the Golden State Warriors, who are among the top betting favorites to land him.

Either way, has Golden State even had conversations around what a trade would look like for the rising star?

According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, there has never been a realistic trade offer on the table from Philadelphia for the Warriors to even discuss regarding Simmons. 

Slater would go on to report that the Warriors were among the teams the Sixers called during their initial round trade inquiries, but that was prior to the draft. Additionally, the asking price was much too steep for Simmons, so no bargaining even happened.  

To this point, Philadelphia and Golden State have never had serious talks on a trade for Simmons. However, things change quickly in the NBA so don’t count anything out. 

The post Warriors Haven’t Had Serious Discussion With Sixers About Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

But according to CBSSports.com, the apprehension could be coming from Golden State’s side.

The Golden State Warriors are not believed to be interested in trading for Ben Simmons for as long as Draymond Green is still on the roster.

The debate is over concerns that Simmons and Green can co-exist on the floor together. Both have well documented shooting deficiencies, but are outstanding and versatile defenders that can pass and operate off the dribble. While the three time All-Star Simmons would fit seamlessly alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Draymond Green provides some redundancy that has the Warriors decision makers divided.

Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area calls the Warriors interest in Simmons as “conditional”

“According to league sources, any interest the Warriors might have in Simmons is conditional,” Poole wrote. “In short, they’re not that interested as long as Draymond Green is on the roster. …

“The Warriors, according to sources, are divided on the subject. Some see great potential in having two skilled players thriving in the ball-movement principles, especially in transition. Simmons also happens to be six years younger than Green. Others, however, believe having two non-shooters on the court is too crippling for an offense, even with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, to overcome, particularly in the postseason.”

Poole stated in his reports that he “can’t imagine” CEO Joe Lacob and team president Bob Myers trading Green, but he also said it can’t be completely ruled out.

The post Warriors’ Level of Interest In Ben Simmons Depends On Draymond Green appeared first on SLAM.

According to Jason Dumas from Bleacher Report, second-year guard Tyrese Maxey could be on his way out of Philadelphia because of his agency, Klutch Sports.

Rich Paul, who founded Klutch Sports, is reportedly looking to move his only two clients, Maxey and Simmons, out of Philadelphia.

Dumas went on to report that Paul asked Maxey to no longer set up community events in Philadelphia because “Paul would not like Maxey to grow roots in Philly if he could be gone.”

Maxey had a strong rookie campaign for the 76ers last season after getting taken in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft out of the University of Kentucky. Maxey played 61 games last season and averaged 8.0 points, 2.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game before playing a minor role in the postseason that saw him average 6.3 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting from the field.

He also shined in two NBA Summer League games, averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the contests.

The post REPORT: Tyrese Maxey Likely to be Traded in Potential Ben Simmons Deal appeared first on SLAM.

According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Simmons will not show up for training camp later this month.

“In a meeting with the 76ers last week in Los Angeles, Simmons told team co-managing partner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, general manager Elton Brand and coach Doc Rivers that he no longer wants to remain a Sixer, according to multiple sources,” Pompey wrote. “Sources said the three-time All-Star also does not intend to report to training camp.”

Simmons has been rumored to be on the trade block almost immediately following the 76ers being bounced from the playoffs in the second round by the Atlanta Hawks.

It’s also been reported by Pompey, via 97.5 The Fanatic Philadelphia, that Sixers head coach Doc Rivers’ comments throwing him under the bus at the end of the series was “the final straw.”

“Apparently, Ben is upset. He’s upset that he feels like Doc threw him on the bus.”

Simmons has been linked with multiple teams around the NBA this offseason, including the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves. In the same article, Pompey reports that Simmons would prefer a trade to three of the four NBA teams located in California.

The 76ers will have some time to work on a trade, as their training camp doesn’t begin until the end of the month on Sept. 28 in San Diego, California.

The post REPORT: Ben Simmons Won’t Attend Sixers’ Training Camp appeared first on SLAM.

With everything going on, Jason Dumas of KRON4 News recently reported that Simmons has cut off communication with almost everyone within the Sixers organization. While all discussions are going through his agent, Rich Paul, Simmons is reportedly is open to going to the Warriors. 

Simmons is still a highly-productive young star who will flourish in the right situation. Last season in Philadelphia, he averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. Just 25 years old, Simmons has the versatility to play multiple positions on both ends of the floor. 

The post Ben Simmons Has Reportedly Cut Off Communication With Sixers appeared first on SLAM.

As first reported by Matt Moore of Action Network, the Toronto Raptors are the team most engaged in trade discussions for Simmons at this point. He would go on to say that Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and the fourth overall pick in Thursday’s draft for Simmons was rejected by Toronto.

For Philadelphia, Kyle Lowry is still at the top of their list of targets this offseason. It appears that for now, the trade framework they’ve originally offered won’t help in landing the veteran point guard. 

Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game last season for the Sixers and was one of the best defenders in the entire NBA. 

The post Raptors Reportedly Turned Down Ben Simmons Trade Offer appeared first on SLAM.

According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, Kings have expressed interest in the All-Star guard. 

Kings GM Monte McNair and Sixers president Daryl Morey spent 13 years together with the Houston Rockets, so their relationship could certainly play a big role in trade talks. With that in mind, Anderson also reported that De’Aaron Fox has not been discussed in any of these packages.

The Sixers have a high price tag on Simmons, with sources saying the Kings would have to send a minimum of three first-round picks or have Fox or Tyrese Haliburton included in the trade.

While it will take a huge package to pry Simmons away from Philadelphia, the Kings need to make a big splash this summer to turn the franchise around. 

The post Sacramento Kings Linked to Sixers’ Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

While he has his flaws, Simmons is still one of the most versatile player in the NBA, but may not be the best fit in Philadelphia. Either way, it appeared his name would be in headlines all summer. 

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the 76ers have opened up trade conversations surrounding Simmons and have engaged with teams, although with a high asking price.

One source told Charania that the Sixers are looking for a player of All-Star caliber in return for Simmons, who is still 25 and that level of player himself.

Last season Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. However, he continued to show a lack of aggressiveness and 3-point shot and struggled tremendously from the free throw line. 

The post Sixers Opening Up Trade Discussion Around Ben Simmons appeared first on SLAM.

Scottie Pippen, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and a six-time NBA Champion, criticized Ben Simmons’ recent play in an interview with Tyler R. Tynes at GQ.

in a new interview at @GQMagazine: me & @ScottiePippen had a long, candid conversation about his relationship with Michael Jordan, his time with the Bulls and what some players of this generation still need to learn, all over a glass of his new bourbon https://t.co/5V4mp1CySn

— Tyler R. Tynes (@TylerRickyTynes) June 24, 2021

Pippen says:

“You guys have been looking at Ben Simmons for five years now?. And you can say this to Stephen A. Smith, too: Y’all know he can’t shoot. Y’all know he don’t look to shoot in the fourth quarter. You know he’s afraid to go to the foul line, he don’t wanna be humiliated, so what are you asking me? I’m not against Ben Simmons. But I think he is who he is.”

Simmons is coming off a woeful offensive performance in the playoffs that has seen a ton of criticism thrown his way. Simmons averaged 11.9 points per game while shooting 34 percent from the free throw line in the post-season.

Pippen also candidly discussed a variety of topics in his interview with GQ, including Kevin Durant, Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley.

The post Scottie Pippen Says Ben Simmons ‘Is Who He Is’ in GQ Interview appeared first on SLAM.

As first reported by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Simmons is doubtful to play for Australia in Tokyo Olympics. Instead, he will spend the upcoming offseason working on skill development.

This comes shortly after his offensive struggles in the postseason, where he shot the worst free throw percentage in playoff history and scored single digits in four of the Sixers’ seven games against the Hawks. 

The Australian team is scheduled to begin training this week, and it appears Ben Simmons will not be part of the roster. Perhaps an offseason tweaking his shot is the best thing for him to do anyways. 

The post Ben Simmons To Skip Olympics To Work On Skill Development appeared first on SLAM.

Headlining the All-Defensive 1st team were the two players in the running for Defensive Player of the Year—Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons. Simmons and Gobert were the only two players in the league to be unanimously voted to the 1st team. 

The 2020-21 NBA All-Defensive First Team:

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Rudy Gobert
Draymond Green
Jrue Holiday
Ben Simmons pic.twitter.com/ZlflnyWlLR

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 14, 2021

This was Gobert’s fifth straight year on the All-NBA Defensive first team, and Simmon’s second.

Rounding out the top-five were Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (his fourth time on the first team), Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (his second) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (his third consecutive first team nomination).

The All-NBA Defensive teams are selected from a group of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters from across the League — a first-team vote notches a player two “points,” while a second-team vote notches them one. Each voter chooses two guards, two forwards, and one center.

The Lakers had the league’s best defensive rating this season.

They have 0 All-Defense players. pic.twitter.com/NZQUa31ewg

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 14, 2021

The second team boasts Kawhi Leonard (his seventh overall selection), teammates Joel Embiid and Matisse Thybulle, and Heat duo Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. As is the case every year, there were some surprising omissions from the ten players selected. Perhaps most notably, there were no Lakers on either team, even as the Lakers finished with the best defensive team in the league (106.8). Specific players to just miss selection were Mikal Bridges (Bridges finished with 39 total points, 4 less than Leonard), Clint Capela, and Myles Turner.

The post NBA Announces Selections for All-NBA Defensive Teams appeared first on SLAM.

After their game two win over the Washington Wizards, Simmons had this to say about his commitment to playing winning basketball.

“I’m not trying to stick to anybody in Philly,” Simmons said to media following the game. “I thought it was pretty hard to get 15 assists and 15 rebounds in the NBA in the playoffs. I thought that was pretty impressive. And we won. What y’all want? You want to win? For me, I’m here to win and I’m doing what I need to do to help my team win, whatever it is. I’m not trying to prove anybody wrong or anything like that. I’m trying to do my job to win.”

Simmons proved his point in Game two, nearly going for a triple-double and dropping 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the 76ers 120-95 win. Simmons also had an outright impressive season averaging 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game and being named one of three finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year.

The 76ers earned the number one seed in the Eastern Conference with Simmons’ help and have so far shown to be the superior team against the Wizards. Philadelphia is up 2-0 in the series, with the series headed to Washington D.C. on Saturday.

The post Ben Simmons Says He’s ‘Here to Win’ Following Game Two Victory appeared first on SLAM.

Simmons spoke with Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice and other members of the media after a win against the Dallas Mavericks Monday night talking about his goals on the defensive end of the floor this season. 

“I want to be the clear cut best defender in the league…I don’t want to be second or third.”

Simmons is certainly on track to do just that, with very few of his peers around the league playing at the level he has defensively this season. He’s averaged 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks to this point in the season, but his impact goes beyond the numbers. Standing at 6-foot-10, Simmons is able to guard every single position on the floor at a high level, making him perhaps the most versatile defender in the NBA.  

The post Ben Simmons: ‘I Want to Be the Clear Cut Best Defender In the League’ appeared first on SLAM.

With their spectacular performances, both Embiid and Simmons are in consideration for two of the NBA’s most prestigious awards in Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively. 

On Tuesday, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers joined ESPN’s “The Jump” and campaigned for his team’s leaders to win the awards. In the process, the Rivers made it known that he believes Simmons “is a lock” for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

“He guards every position. He’s everywhere. He literally at times swallows players”

Over the course of his career, Simmons has been one of the league’s most versatile defenders, demonstrating the ability to lock down players of all sizes. His combination of length, strength, athleticism and basketball IQ has allowed him to maximize his potential, particularly as he becomes increasingly familiar with his opponent’s tendencies.

Averaging 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks per game this season, Simmons ranks ninth in both defensive box plus-minus (2.0) and defensive win shares (1.9), per Basketball Reference. NBA.com’s tracking data has Simmons holding opponents to .409 percent shooting from the field and .327 percent shooting from 3-point range.

In addition, Simmons is holding opponents to 0.81 points per possession in isolation, 0.86 points per possession when defending pick-and-roll ball-handlers and 0.86 points per possession when defending spot-up shooters.

The post Doc Rivers on Defensive Player of the Year: ‘Ben Simmons is a Lock’ appeared first on SLAM.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, both Embiid and Simmons boarded their own private jets and no other All-Star participants have come into contact with either of them.

According to Wojnarowski, the league has no plans to replace Embiid or Simmons in the All-Star Game on such short notice. However, New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson will start in place of Embiid for Team Durant.

(Story updated at 12:53 p.m. ET)

The post Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons Ruled Out for 2021 NBA All-Star Game Due to Potential COVID-19 Exposure appeared first on SLAM.

These 14 reserves will join the starters (10 in total) that were named last week — a list headlined by team captains LeBron James and Kevin Durant (of the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets, respectively).

Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul leads the way in All-Star appearances among this group, playing in his 11^th All-Star Game this year. Paul is only one of three players in this year’s event with at least 10 All-Star appearances, the other two being LeBron and Durant.

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden has the next highest mark among the reserves. The Beard is playing his ninth All-Star game but his first representing the Eastern Conference thanks his well-publicized trade from the Houston Rockets.

Harden is one of three Nets in the All-Star Game alongside starters Durant and Irving.

Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis is an All-Star for not just the eighth time in his career but the eighth time in a row. Davis has been an All-Star every season of his career, with the only exception being his rookie season in 2012-13.

Another veteran of the All-Star Game, Los Angeles Clippers wing Paul George, makes his return to the All-Star Game for the seventh time after missing last year’s festivities.

Right behind him, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard finds himself in his sixth All-Star Game.

Dame Dolla has the highest scoring average of the All-Star reserves, averaging 29.6 points per game, the fourth-highest number in the league. Lillard will also participate in the All-Star 3-Point Contest.

On the flip side, Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons is averaging just 15.7 points per game but is making his third All-Star Game because of his excellent playmaking – 7.9 assists per game – and defense for the Sixers.

Nikola Vucevic, Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum will all be making their second appearances.

Four players from the reserves will be playing in their first-ever All-Star Games. Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Jaylen Brown and Zion Williamson will make their first All-Star appearances.

The post NBA Announces 2021 All-Star Game Reserves appeared first on SLAM.

When it was all said and done, the Jazz finished on top with a 134-123 win. After the game, Simmons spoke to the media, saying he felt disrespected that Gobert guarded him. 

“I felt like it was a bit disrespectful putting him on me, but it is what it is.”

As good of a defender as Gobert is, with two NBA Defensive Player of the Year nods, he’s better on the interior. Simmons thinks that Gobert picking him up on the perimeter isn’t a smart move. 

Perhaps he’s right, as Simmons dropped a career-high 42 points on the Jazz, including 12 assists and 9 rebounds. On the season, he’s averaging 15.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game. 

The post Ben Simmons Felt Disrespected By Rudy Gobert Guarding Him appeared first on SLAM.

According to Keith Pompey of the The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers thought they had a done deal with the Rockets that would send a package including Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle for James Harden.

Pompey says that they were even informed by their agents of an expected trade but the Rockets ultimately ended up never ended up calling the Sixers back for a Harden trade counteroffer.

Regardless, Harden now is a member of the Nets alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. For Simmons and the rest of his teammates in Philly, they can once again play with the re-assurance that the team is going to look the same for the foreseeable future as they look to continue their solid start to the season.

The post Sixers Thought They Had A Done Deal With Rockets For James Harden appeared first on SLAM.

Harden, who spent more than eight seasons with the Houston Rockets, was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team blockbuster deal. The Sixers, who hired former Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to be their president of basketball operations in November, have been tied to Harden in trade rumors for months.

Of course, when trading for a superstar like Harden, there’s an expectation that the team sending away their marquee player will receive one in return. As a result of this rationale and Simmons’ questionable on-court fit with All-Star center Joel Embiid, his name has often cropped up in conversations surrounding Harden.

Fortunately for Simmons, Morey has been determined to build a team around both him and Embiid, adding perimeter shooters to the roster throughout the offseason to balance out Simmons’ struggling jump shot.

With Harden now joining forces with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, there’s still a chance that Simmons will be involved in trade rumors that involve The Beard; it’s just the nature of the business.

However, for at least a brief period, Simmons can keep his mind off of hypothetical trades involving him. With his team sitting at 8-4 and off to one of the best starts in the NBA, the Sixers can keep their focus on their current core too.

The post Ben Simmons ‘Ecstatic’ To Not Be Traded For James Harden appeared first on SLAM.

“We are not trading Ben Simmons—he is an important part of our future,” Morrey said on Thursday according to Shams Charania, who initially reported the news.

Charania had first reported that “conversations [between the two teams] aren’t fluid as of now,” while ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that “those talks have come nowhere close to a deal.”

For those that have been following all of the recent drama surrounding Harden and the Rockets, the 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets were two teams Harden had reportedly expressed interest in being traded to. The Miami Heat are also reportedly interested in the shooting guard and open to making Tyler Herro available.

Woj and ESPN senior writer Romona Shelburne also report that the Rockets have been talking to teams beyond Harden’s “preferred” list:

“Several playoff-caliber teams in the Eastern and Western conferences have told ESPN that they’re finding increased comfort in committing high-level trade assets in talks to acquire Harden,” ESPN’s staff writes. “The Rockets have ongoing discussions on several fronts and have been communicating with Harden about those scenarios,” sources said.

If a trade would have happened with Philly, the 76ers would have lost a major talent in Simmons, who averaged 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists last season despite shooting troubles.

Simmons, 24, is a two-time All-Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team last season.

The post Daryl Morey: ‘We are not trading Ben Simmons—he is an important part of our future’ appeared first on SLAM.

Man, we’re destroying these dudes, this isn’t even a competition. 

I might just have to end this tournament early.

It’s November, and Simmons is playing in a tournament, hosted by SLAM FOR THE WIN against JaVale McGee, Josh Hart and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette. While Hart had a viral reaction during the game, Simmons’ kill streaks back up all of his spicy talk: he racked up 224 kills and 126 deaths, 1.7 K/D. 

Fournette also held his own with 103 kills and 78 deaths. A clean sweep. 

“I’m playing against my children right now…and Josh is my oldest daughter.” Leonard Fournette GOT ME CRYING!! @_fournette

Tune-in to our @callofduty #BlackOpsColdWar stream: https://t.co/0ADlUVO6lA pic.twitter.com/Ht74m3dmL4

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 19, 2020

“It’s competitive,  but it’s kind of like a different world,” Simmons says later on a Zoom call with him and Fournette. “You can connect with your friends and I got a lot of friends that play the game at a high level. So it’s fun to, you know, compete and have fun doing it.”

Fournette says he only started playing COD recently during quarantine when Simmons encouraged him to play. Simmons was inside the NBA bubble, but had brought his PC with him. The two of them would play on teams with Travis Scott, Meek Mill and Young Thug. Plunder mode, then just Battle Royale in Warzone. 

Lately, COD Warzone and Cold War have been the wave.

“[Warzone] is perfect for me,” Fournette says. “I’ll play that before I play the new COD.” 

“Yeah, I’m the same,” Simmons adds. “I  think this is, like, probably the most perfect COD I’ve played just in terms of everything, mechanics, just the way it moves and feels. I feel like they did try to add certain things into the game during the start of it and took out what people didn’t like. Sometimes games don’t really listen to the players and that’s something the games gotta do.”

Simmons started playing when he was 12, after getting a television and PlayStation as a gift. Some friends then put him on to COD: World at War.

“I was hooked,” Simmons says, later adding: “It’s competitive,  but it’s kind of like a different world.”

Fournette, who stopped playing COD his junior year of high school, says that he likes how players are able to use streaming platforms like Twitch to give another look into their lives.

“I think for us, we’re using our platforms more,” he says. “[In] Twitch, [we let] people watch us play the game, [and] besides football, people are always interested in our lives other than sports. This is just a little piece of our lives that we give to them, [through] the game. A lot of people enjoy and love watching at least like ourselves play video games and you meet guys who make money off this, you know what I mean? You play with them everyday and you build a bond with them.”

He says that rapper Tee Grizzley is the most competitive, while Simmons argues Meek Mill is. 

“He’ll try to get you,” Simmons explains. “He’ll try to run it up against you, but he likes the competitiveness of it.”

Simmons also plays with other athletes and celebrities, as well as pro gamers. In order to be the best, you’ve got to play the best. 

“If I see somebody that I’m cool with, I’ll definitely join with them, but I got a bunch of different little crews and squads that I mix it up with,” Simmons says. “I like to play with a lot of pros too. I feel like that gets me better and to their level. It’s fun to, you know, challenge yourself.”

Fournette thinks Simmons is a cheater because he competes against other pro gamers that play all day, every day. Simmons recently joined FaZe Clan as FaZe Simmo, a popular gaming org that includes Zeno and Bronny James, amongst others. They regularly compete in tournaments and leagues.

“Ben be cheating, Ben is a cheater,” Fournette explains. “He’s really playing with people who game all day. Like, the guys I’m talking about, they have average jobs, they don’t be on the game all day. They just hop on whenever we hop on.”

Simmons isn’t having any of that. 

“Aye, I mean we can run it,” he says on the call.  

When asked who they both would pick on their COD Warzone roster, Simmons’ first pick would be a gamer he met named Metaphor. 

“I met this one guy the other day actually, his name on there is Metaphor. He’s trying out trying to get into FaZe right now,” Simmons says. “I’ll go with him, Ninja, uh, go with FaZe Temperrr and Zeno.”

And, after his playing career is over, Simmons says that he wants to continue to venture business-wise into gaming.

“It’s something that I’m in to,” Simmons says. “I find enjoyment out of learning about playing the game. So, if opportunities come my way with the game and not just being a basketball player, I’m taking it. That’s one of the things I do with FaZe.”

“How can I join FaZe?” Fournette asks him.

“You gotta get that snipe right,” Simmons responds. 

But he admits there’s no secret to being good at COD. 

“You gotta just be nice. It aint no secret, you gotta be nice,” Fournette says, before giving away a little trick. “The main thing is when you’re playing, like, in a group duos, trios, quads, win your one-on-ones. That’s all it is.”

“You’re either nice or you’re not,” Simmons adds.

The post Ben Simmons and Leonard Fournette Talk Call of Duty appeared first on SLAM.

Green recently said on his podcast, Inside the Green Room, that he’s putting it on himself to help teammate Ben Simmons get more comfortable taking jump shots.

Green says:

“You know, you can’t be afraid to take those jumpers…You’re not a bad shooter, it’s all confidence and mental. I’m going to try to take it upon myself to challenge him…Maybe taking one corner three a game.”

This would be a jump for Simmons, who has struggled with spacing the floor and making jumpers throughout his career. In fact, he rarely takes shots outside of the paint. According to Basketball Reference, last season Simmons shot seven three-pointers and only .942 of his shot attempts were inside of ten feet.

Simmons has recently said that while shots are important, winning is the priority:

“It’s important to make shots, but it’s more important to win so however the win happens, it happens,” Simmons says, per Sixers Wire. “I know Doc and Sam (Cassell) are going to put me in the right positions to do that and be dominant so I’m just looking forward to getting out there and seeing what they have to offer in terms of my situation on the floor and where I’m going to be.”

Even if Simmons isn’t a deadly shooter, changing up his shot selection would make all the difference when it comes to offensive floor spacing. Shooting a respectable clip in the mid-range and beyond the arc would require defenders to play up on him rather than sag off.

The post Danny Green Says He Is Going To Challenge Ben Simmons To Shoot This Season appeared first on SLAM.

Of course, they issued an official press release, using All-Star guard Ben Simmons as the model. But, in a reboot of one of his iconic SLAM covers, Sixers icon Allen Iverson posed in Philly’s new jerseys.

Featuring Philly’s historic Boathouse Row, the Sixers’ 2020-21 City Edition are the team’s first predominantly black uniforms since the 2008-09 season.

Simmons was reportedly the driving force behind the design for the Philly’s 2020-21 City Edition uniforms, saying that he “always associated the 76ers with the black uniform that Allen Iverson wore in the early 2000s.” In fact, Simmons had a poster of Iverson wearing the jersey when he was growing up in Australia.

Although Simmons actually requested that a black jersey be made as a rookie, Sixers president Chris Heck offered Simmons a deal. If Simmons won Rookie of the Year, he’d be included in the design process.

Sure enough, Simmons would beat out Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and Celtics forward Jayson Tatum to win the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year award.

The post Allen Iverson Helps Sixers Unveil New City Edition Uniforms appeared first on SLAM.

“I’m not looking to trade Ben or Joel,” he told the media, including Tim Bontemps of ESPN.” I’m looking to complement them better.“

The duo of versatile oversized guard Simmons and prolific big man Embiid have carried the franchise from the league’s basement to their current location as a perennial mid-level contender in the Eastern Conference.

At the end of the day, however, the team has failed to make noise in the postseason the past three seasons, flaming out in the second round twice and then this round, sans Simmons, in the first.

Both Embiid and Simmons have struggled with their health on and off over the years and there has been no shortage of concerns about their ability to play together but despite it all, they’re two of the game’s intriguing young stars at 26 and 24 years old, respectively.

Before his season was cut short by a partially dislocated kneecap, Simmons was averaging 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game. Embiid averaged 23.0, 11.6 and 3.0 respectively.

With the recent decision to fire head coach Brett Brown, the Sixers organization will get the chance to see if there’s a better way to utilize their two top talents, both unique stars even in today’s modern era.

If, as Brand implies, the answer is in who the team surrounds their core with rather than the core itself, the offseason will be a pivotal one. With the likes of Jimmy Butler and J.J. Redick on their flanks, Philly was one of the scariest dark horse candidates in the league.

Neither Butler or Redick were retained last summer. Instead, with over $200 million invested in Tobias Harris and Al Horford for the next two to four years, the team will need to get creative.

This is not to say that cash strapped teams can’t still make moves on the margins to drastically alter their outcome. Perhaps the new system brought upon by a new coach and a season of good health is all the Sixers need to remind the world of what made them so exciting previously.

The big takeaway from today is during an offseason of change, the man in the front office making the decisions is intent on keeping Embiid and Simmons together.

The post Sixers GM: ‘I’m Not Looking to Trade Ben or Joel’ appeared first on SLAM.

The Philadelphia 76ers have revealed that Ben Simmons’ knee injury is worse than initially feared. While the versatile forward’s MRI came back clean yesterday, per Shams Charania of The Athletic, he’s now out with subluxation of the left kneecap.

A subluxation is a partial dislocation and as a result, Simmons is currently exploring treatment options. As The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor points out, Andrew Bynum was diagnosed with the same injury back in 2008 and was reported to be out at least eight weeks.

A timetable for Simmons is not yet known but details may come when he and the team settle on a treatment plan. It’s safe to say that Simmons could very well exit the bubble for the Sixers.

Simmons appeared to injure the knee lobbing a pass into the post from out on the perimeter. He went to the locker room shortly thereafter.

Losing Simmons will no doubt hurt the No. 6 seed Sixers but they’re not at risking of dropping in the standings.

Simmons had been playing the four for the Sixers, after spending the majority of his career as the team’s oversized point guard. With his campaign now presumably over, his 2019-20 stat line settles at 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists.

The post Ben Simmons Partially Dislocates Kneecap appeared first on SLAM.