Ben Simmons

Lakers insider Jovan Buha said on The Third Apron podcast that Marcus Smart appeared ready to leave Los Angeles even before free agency opened.

Jake Fischer said on his Bleacher Report stream that Jordan Hawkins, newly dealt from New Orleans to Memphis, is likely to get a real look at a roster spot. Memphis carries 19 players for 15 spots, and Fischer flagged D'Angelo Russell, Kris Murray, Walter Clayton Jr. and Micah Peavy as most at risk if Hawkins sticks.

Ben Simmons had interest in Miami before agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Sacramento. Sun Sentinel writer Ira Winderman reports the Heat turned him down because he's no longer a proven win-now contributor, preferring to develop players like Tre Donaldson instead.

Sacramento's decision to sign Ben Simmons to a one-year, $3.5 million deal likely closes off that landing spot for free agent Victor Oladipo, who had been linked to the Kings as a possible mentor for Darius Acuff.

Sam Amick of The Athletic reports Golden State and New York were among the teams pursuing Ben Simmons before he agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Sacramento.

Ben Simmons has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, according to Shams Charania, with only $1 million guaranteed.

With Jonathan Kuminga off to Minnesota, the Lakers still have an open starting spot, and Yahoo's Jacob Rude lists five ways they could fill it: P.J. Washington, De'Andre Hunter, Saddiq Bey, Ben Simmons and internal option Adou Thiero.

Nick Richards signing with Miami leaves New York, carrying only 13 standard contracts, still hunting frontcourt help, and Ben Simmons is raised as an option.

A post from X user Marc Jacobs claimed the Lakers had pivoted to Ben Simmons after passing on Jonathan Kuminga, and credited it to Marc Stein. Stein's response: he never reported any of it. The same account was previously called out by The Athletic's Dan Woike for inventing Luka Doncic quotes.

Sacramento general manager Scott Perry traveled to Florida to watch Ben Simmons work out, according to Carmichael Dave, who said Simmons was one of several players on Perry's evaluation list.