Ben Simmons has hit again at an NBA veteran who accused him of ‘quitting’, because the 30-year-old returns to the league after signing with the Sacramento Kings.
The NBA’s investigation into Kawhi Leonard has concluded, leaving the door open for a blockbuster commerce to the Raptors, however the Division of Justice has now reportedly opened a prison investigation into the Clippers’ dealings with Leonard.
The Detroit Pistons and their All-NBA large man stay aside in contract negotiations with a rival suitor rising, whereas the Phoenix Suns will probably be with out their large man for a number of months.
All of this and extra within the newest version of NBA Day by day.
Watch LIVE protection of the 2026 WNBA common season, Playoffs and Finals with ESPN on Kayo Sports activities | New to Kayo? Be part of now and get your first month for simply $1.
SIMMONS CLAPS BACK AT NBA VET’S ‘BRUTAL’ SWIPE
NBA veteran Patrick Beverley has delivered a brutal and unapologetic evaluation of Ben Simmons after the 30-year-old signed with the Sacramento Kings.
Beverley, who performed over 650 NBA video games, delivered a blunt evaluation of the Kings’ resolution to signal Simmons after a 12 months out of the sport, prompting Simmons to reply and defend himself.
“I don’t suppose it’s truthful you can stop the sport of basketball and are available again,” Beverley stated.
“Like, you may stop with not having a ton of success.
“You’ll be able to stop as a result of the sport is tough, and it’s traumatic, and also you’re not taking part in properly, and the followers are on you, and the media is on you.
“You’ll be able to stop and have a chance to come back again?”
Beverley then pointed to different former NBA gamers who stay with out contracts as they appear to return to the league.
“We’ve been Victor Oladipo,” Beverley stated.
“Who’s been competing, who went to the G-League, labored out in entrance of a ton of coaches and GMs and writing letters.
“That is the man you decide!”
Beverley made it clear he wasn’t making an attempt to discredit Simmons however questioned the thought of strolling away when issues turned troublesome.
“I’m not with quitting when it’s laborious… all over the place I’m going it’s a problem and excuse.”
Simmons later took to Instagram to reply to Beverley’s criticism.
“Stroll away…. ??” Simmons wrote on Instagram.
“This ain’t no handout, I labored my ass off to be on this place…
“And I’m very grateful to be in place to play the sport I fu**ing love!
“Y’all will proceed to make up tales on your personal advantages and that’s extra telling about who you’re.”
Beverley joins ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith amongst these to criticise Simmons following his NBA return.
Smith took purpose at Simmons’ reluctance to shoot the ball and questioned his worth to Sacramento.
“He handled taking a shot as for those who requested him to be on the entrance traces in Afghanistan… how come he isn’t paying Sacramento?
“He needs to be paying them to let him play.”
Simmons returns to the NBA after lacking the 2025-26 season, having final performed 18 video games with the Los Angeles Clippers in the course of the 2024-25 season.
LEONARD TRADE CLEARED TO BE RE-SUBMITTED AS DOJ OPENS INVESTIGATION
With the NBA handing down its findings into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, the blockbuster commerce between the Clippers and Toronto Raptors has acquired a serious replace.
Based on Marc Stein, the Clippers and Raptors are free to re-submit the Kawhi Leonard commerce for NBA approval after initially agreeing to the deal in June.
The deal would see the Raptors reunite with Leonard, who helped ship their 2019 NBA championship, whereas the Clippers would start retooling after shedding 5 first-round picks following the NBA’s investigation.
The Clippers would obtain a package deal together with Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, a 2027 decide swap, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and two future second-round picks.
Whereas the assumption is the commerce could be accepted, a bombshell report from the New York Occasions has added one other layer of uncertainty.
Based on the New York Occasions, prosecutors have opened a prison investigation into revelations that the Clippers helped organize secret sponsorship contracts for Kawhi Leonard that circumvented the wage cap.
The investigation is being led by the Japanese District of New York, the identical district overseeing the playing scandal that features Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier.
Additional particulars surrounding the investigation stay unclear.
DUREN AND PISTONS NO CLOSER… AS SUITOR EMERGES
The Detroit Pistons and Jalen Duren are nonetheless at a stalemate because the crew, and the 22-year-old centre stay aside of their contract negotiations.
The Pistons large man skilled his greatest season within the NBA after being named an All-Star and a member of the All-NBA Third Staff.
However Duren’s camp is searching for a deal price at the least $40 million yearly, in keeping with The Athletic.
Duren is eligible for a five-year, $287 million (A$400 million) contract and is reportedly searching for at the least $200 million, whereas Detroit’s newest provide sits at roughly 5 years and $190 million.
Solely seven NBA centres at the moment make at the least $40 million per 12 months: Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Cities, Bam Adebayo, Victor Wembanyama and Domantas Sabonis.
The Sacramento Kings are rising as a attainable suitor for the All-NBA large man if Detroit is unwilling to maneuver nearer to Duren’s asking worth.
For a commerce to be facilitated, Sabonis would should be included within the deal, with Sacramento reportedly prepared to supply Duren a max contract to pair him alongside rookie Darius Acuff Jr.
Duren has additionally stored his distance from the Pistons this low season.
The 22-year-old reportedly didn’t attend a San Diego crew minicamp organised by Cade Cunningham in the course of the week of August 23, whereas he was additionally absent from the Labor Day crew get together at proprietor Tom Gores’ Southern California dwelling.
SUNS BIG MAN RULED OUT
The Phoenix Suns have been dealt a serious blow earlier than the beginning of the season, with their large man dominated out for a number of months.
Mark Williams has been dominated out for an prolonged interval, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting the massive man underwent surgical procedure on Thursday to restore a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Williams suffered the harm throughout an low season exercise.
With Williams sidelined, the Suns might now flip to 2025 lottery decide Khaman Maluach within the center.
Phoenix might elect to start out Devin Booker, Jalen Inexperienced, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges and Maluach.