ESPN NBA reporter Marc J. Spears explained why Simmons could stay in Sacramento for more than just one season, noting that the Aussie is “a pretty loyal guy,” adding that “I think he’d want to stay” if it turned out to be a nice fit between the player and team.

“I think Sacramento offers an opportunity to not only play but to be supported. You go to Sacramento, it’s about basketball. You go to Sacramento, I put their fans up with anybody in the world, in terms of the NBA. They eat, sleep, drink (basketball),” Spears said.

Simmons has interesting potential to stay

Given that Simmons only received a veteran minimum contract, the financial burden is not heavy if he does not perform for the team. But if he plays well, this could be an excellent contract for Sacramento, as Simmons is an exceptional defensive player who can also contribute points, passes, and rebounds, proving to be a very complete player.

Everyone knows shooting has never been Simmons’ strong suit, but if he can offer solid defense for the Kings and also contribute leadership on and off the court, this could be a good fit between the team and the player.

Simmons was a three-time All-Star during his four seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers (2017-18 to 2020-21). However, he has only played 108 games since the end of the 2020-21 season, as a series of injuries has kept him sidelined for long periods.

Ben Simmons last played in the 2024-25 NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets, averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game across 51 games (24 starts).

Simmons and the Kings have agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million free-agent contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears reported Friday, citing agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe, and Ryan Arney.

Simmons didn’t play in the NBA during the 2025-26 NBA season. His last appearance came on April 29, 2025, during the Los Angeles Clippers’ first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets — basically a year since he last played in the NBA.

Ben Simmons’ unfortunate path

Simmons was the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, but he sat out the entire 2016-17 season due to a foot injury. When he finally got on the court, he lived up to the hype, winning the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year and making the NBA All-Star Game each of the next three seasons.

But that’s where the two-time All-Defensive First Team selection’s career derailed. Following a rough playoff series with the Sixers to end the 2021 season, Simmons made his intentions known that he had no interest in playing in Philadelphia anymore, so he held out.

Philadelphia eventually traded him the following February to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that brought back James Harden. Simmons played 90 games over parts of three seasons with the Nets before they waived him in February 2025. He then signed with the Clippers and finished the year with them.

Expected role on the team

In Sacramento, Simmons is expected to back up point guard Darius Acuff Jr. and be able to contribute at several positions. To give an idea of what he can bring, during the 2024-25 season, Simmons played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games. Over 383 NBA regular-season games, he has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals.

Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, said his client now has more control over his future, which was not the case with the more valuable previous offers. During a recent conversation on “Run It Back” on FanDuel TV, Turner explained Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings are the teams he is eyeing for a potential move next summer.

“I would say on paper, next year for Jonathan Kuminga is a way better free-agency year for him,” Turner told Chandler Parsons. “There are a lot of teams with money, and if you have paid attention to the JK’s recruiting saga over the last few years, those teams that have been trying to sign and trade from (are) Sacramento and Chicago.”

Intriguing free-agency destinations

While Turner did not confirm that Kuminga will eventually move out of Minnesota, he did name the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls as the two teams that he would be looking at in the free agency that comes before the next season.

“These teams have a lot of money next year. Now I’m not saying that will necessarily (offer a trade, but) who knows. But the game board is set very, very well for JK for 2027, but you have to be able to get into that market,” Turner added.

To some, these may not sound like the most eye-catching options currently, but Kuminga expects to be the primary star of a franchise. Finding that role on a squad with established stars like Minnesota—featuring Kuminga and LaMelo Ball—remains difficult while also attempting to win a championship.

Contract flexibility and roster fit

“And if you have a team option, you could have as good a year as you want; you can’t get into that market,” Turner said. “So with a player option now, you decide if you want to be in that market, and that is a big, big deal in controlling your future earnings.”

Additionally, the roster fit for Kuminga is itself intriguing, given he will be starting alongside franchise icon Anthony Edwards, the newly signed LaMelo Ball, and Jaden McDaniels.

Prior to Westbrook opting to retire, Shams Charania reported that he had offers from the Kings and the Wizards. He was offered a chance to return to the Kings as well as an offer to join a revamped Wizards team led by Trae Young and Anthony Davis, according to Charania.

“Russell Westbrook made the decision to step away from basketball ‘on his own terms’ despite receiving offers from the Kings and Wizards this offseason,” Charania reported. The revelation leads to the conclusion that Westbrook simply reached his limit with what the NBA has to offer, for better or worse.

Westbrook’s final season and career legacy

Westbrook had a standout season for the Sacramento Kings to conclude his NBA career over 64 games. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. He started 58 games for the team, which ultimately finished with a 22-60 record and 14th in the Western Conference.

Westbrook began his career in the 2008 NBA draft when he was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the fourth overall pick. He became a legendary player in the history of the Oklahoma City Thunder, spending 11 seasons with the franchise, many of which were spent alongside Kevin Durant.

The trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Westbrook made the 2012 NBA Finals but ultimately lost to LeBron James’ Miami Heat in five games, resulting in a legend retiring without a championship.

After James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets, the Thunder remained in contention, led by Durant and Westbrook. After Durant departed the team to join the Golden State Warriors, Westbrook stayed for an additional three seasons and was named MVP in the 2016-2017 NBA season after averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists.

Sacramento is going through another rebuilding phase as it stacks up on promising young talents. The team seems to be considering signing veterans to assist in mentoring those players, per NBA insider Jake Fischer.

“Among tonight’s items, sources say the Kings are considering adding one of various veteran guards to help mentor No. 7 pick Darius Acuff, to where Sacramento is now considering a return for Russell Westbrook, in addition to signing Victor Oladipo,” Fischer wrote.

Westbrook and Oladipo’s situation

Westbrook spent the entire 2025-26 campaign with the Kings, playing in 64 games as a full-time starter. He is in free agency after declining his player option for the 2026-27 campaign and is exploring his options.

The Kings have solutions to address needs in key areas of the roster. Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo are certainly options to consider, given their more than a decade of experience playing the guard position.

Westbrook proved he can still play at a solid level following his 18th season with the Kings. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game across his 64 appearances.

Oladipo has not played in the NBA since his stint with the Miami Heat in the 2022-23 season. Despite that, he is seeking a return to the league, as he still has much to offer thanks to his versatility.

The Kings have high hopes for LaVine’s upcoming season, according to Locked On Kings’ James Ham. “According to that source, the Kings have no thought of buying out Zach LaVine at this time,” Ham said.

“They also plan on him coming back and being ready to have a big year in what is a contract season for him. And according to that source, LaVine is aligned with this thinking. So again, at this point, the Kings and LaVine are tied to each other for the 2026-27 season.”

The ideal opportunity for LaVine?

Even if the Kings do not project as a title contender or even a competitive team, this could serve as the perfect opportunity for LaVine to reclaim his role as a primary superstar on a team, a capability reflected in his numbers.

LaVine averaged 19.2 points on 47.9% shooting, including 39% from beyond the 3-point arc in 39 games for the Kings last season. Additionally, Zach is not expected to reach a buyout ahead of the 2026-27 season. LaVine, who could potentially be traded mid-season, will most likely have to prove himself once again this upcoming season, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.

“There would be a lot of interest in a player like Zach LaVine, whether that be through the mid-level exception, minimum contract if he was to hit the open market. That’s not something that’s in play at this time,” Siegel said.

Zach LaVine notably picked up his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 NBA season, which serves as the final year of the five-year, $215.2 million contract he signed with the Chicago Bulls in 2022.

He did not play on April 9 against the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Warriors opting to sit him on the front end of a back-to-back as part of a controlled recovery plan. The decision was tied to his return from a prolonged absence.

Head coach Steve Kerr and the team’s medical staff have prioritized keeping his healthy for the Play-In Tournament, rather than pushing him in low-stakes regular-season games. His workload is being carefully managed.

Is Stephen Curry injured or being rested?

Stephen Curry is not fully injured but is being managed due to a right knee issue, with the team resting him. According to the injury report, he was listed out for the April 9 game vs. the Lakers due to “right knee injury management”.

The issue is related to what has been described as runner’s knee, the same condition that previously sidelined him for an extended stretch earlier this season. After missing 27 consecutive games, he returned earlier in April but has been on a restricted workload and minutes limit since then.

Golden State’s approach has been cautious rather than reactive. Instead of pushing him through back-to-backs or low-priority games, they have opted to rest him intermittently to avoid aggravating the injury.

When will Stephen Curry return to play?

Stephen Curry’s return date is now expected for tonight’s game, with the Golden State Warriors evaluating his status on a game-by-game basis. Although he had missed time, he is now in line to make his return today.

Head coach Steve Kerr and the medical staff have emphasized a day-to-day evaluation, meaning his status depends on how his knee responds to recovery and treatment between games. There is no indication of a long-term setback.

The timing is key: with the Play-In Tournament approaching, Golden State is prioritizing having him at full strength rather than risking further irritation. That’s why his availability remains game-time dependent.

He is likely to be available for the Golden State Warriors against the Sacramento Kings. The star guard logged 26 minutes and scored 29 points in his comeback, and they are expected to continue managing his workload as he ramps back up.

Even with that strong return, the Warriors are approaching his minutes with caution. The NBA team is prioritizing his health ahead of the Play-In Tournament, gradually increasing his time on the floor.

How and when did Stephen Curry get injured?

Stephen Curry suffered his injury in late January, dealing with a persistent right knee issue diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome that sidelined him for over a month and forced him to miss 27 games before returning in early April.

His injury dates back to late January, when he began experiencing discomfort in his right knee and attempted to play through it before being ruled out. The condition—commonly known as “runner’s knee”—causes pain and swelling around the kneecap, making it difficult to maintain explosiveness and mobility.

As the issue worsened, the Golden State Warriors shut him down completely after January 30, beginning a long recovery process. He underwent multiple evaluations, with MRIs showing no structural damage but continued inflammation and discomfort, which delayed his return multiple times.

How has Stephen Curry performed this season?

Stephen Curry has averaged around 27.2 points and 4.8 assists per game this season, remaining one of the NBA’s top offensive players despite his injury setbacks. He was once again performing at an elite level, leading the team offensively and maintaining one of the highest scoring averages of his career.

His 27+ points per game place him among the league’s top scorers, highlighting his continued impact even in his late 30s. His absence, however, significantly affected the team’s performance.

Without him, the franchise struggled to find consistent scoring and went 9–18 during the stretch he was sidelined, underscoring just how vital he is to the Warriors’ system and overall competitiveness.

Since returning, he has quickly reminded everyone of his value. In his first game back, he scored 29 points in just 26 minutes, showing efficiency and rhythm. The Warriors are now focused on gradually increasing his minutes.

James Harden is marked as questionable for the Cavaliers vs. Kings game in the NBA’s official injury report. Additionally, Cleveland’s report lists Harden as “trade pending” for tonight’s contest against Sacramento, indicating there may be more steps to complete before he takes the court.

With this uncertainty, fans must wait for the Cavaliers‘ final announcement to confirm Harden’s availability for the upcoming game. Given that his last appearance with the Clippers was at the end of January, his play tonight seems improbable.

The Cavaliers will have to patiently await Harden’s debut in their lineup, where he will join an impressive roster featuring stars like Donovan Mitchell, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis, among others.

Cavaliers’ projected lineup with Harden

With uncertainty still surrounding Harden’s first game with the team, speculation grows about the Cavaliers’ projected lineup. The team is eager to enhance its impact in the remainder of the season, currently holding a 31-21 record.

Here is the projected Cavaliers lineup with Harden on the court:

• PG: James Harden
• SG: Donovan Mitchell
• SF: Jaylon Tyson
• PF: Dean Wade
• C: Jarrett Allen

Cleveland fans are keenly following the developments regarding Harden, understanding that his contribution will be vital for the team to solidify their playoff aspirations this season.

According to Shams Charania, the Sacramento Kings and the Dallas Mavericks have both shown interest in Kuminga, with several other teams also monitoring the situation. The Warriors are prioritizing expiring contracts in return and are reluctant to take on long-term salary unless the deal represents clear positive value for the franchise.

One factor that could strengthen Sacramento’s position is Golden State’s stance on the return package. The Warriors have no interest in acquiring Malik Monk in a Kuminga trade, but the inclusion of Keon Ellis could significantly change their evaluation and reopen discussions between both teams.

From Sacramento’s perspective, acquiring Kuminga would represent a major upgrade in athleticism and physical presence. He would fit well alongside Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schroder, and Russell Westbrook, reinforcing a roster that appears increasingly built to compete at a high level in the Western Conference.

The situation with the Mavericks

While the Kings appear well-positioned, Kuminga’s interests extend beyond the Western Conference, as he has already drawn attention from at least one Eastern Conference team. That factor adds complexity to Golden State’s negotiations and could influence how aggressively teams pursue a deal.

According to Shams Charania, there is mutual interest between the Dallas Mavericks and Kuminga. However, a potential move to Dallas is more complicated due to the Mavericks’ limited trade assets and their overall negotiating flexibility compared to other suitors.

If discussions between the Warriors and the Mavericks advance, Anthony Davis would likely be the Mavericks’ primary high-value trade chip. Still, Golden State would face competition for Davis in the East, as the Toronto Raptors and the Atlanta Hawks have also entered the conversation surrounding the All-Star forward.

That said, the Warriors are focused on immediate impact while maximizing the remaining NBA championship window built around Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green. This makes a Davis-centered deal uncertain, especially after Davis sustained ligament damage in his left hand during a recent loss to the Jazz. He is expected to undergo surgery and will be sidelined for several months, raising serious concerns about reliability and short-term availability.

Veteran Russell Westbrook has surpassed Hall of Fame guard Magic Johnson for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time assists leaderboard. After Westbrook starred for the Kings in overtime during a 125-114 win against the Houston Rockets, he continued his impressive week for Sacramento.

Westbrook eclipsed Johnson’s 10,141 career assists in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against the Mavericks. By doing so, he officially moved into seventh place on the NBA’s all-time assist leaders list, surpassing the record of Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.

An assist to Keon Ellis in the first quarter against the Mavericks helped Westbrook climb the league’s assist record books, marking a major milestone in his storied career.

Westbrook’s numbers with the Kings and the next target

Westbrook is averaging 14.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.9 rebounds for the Kings this season. He joined Sacramento as his seventh NBA team via a one-year, $3.6 million veteran’s minimum contract this past offseason.

The next target for Westbrook is Mark Jackson’s career total of 10,334 assists. John Stockton remains the all-time leader with 15,806 assists across his 19-year NBA career.

Westbrook now trails only John Stockton (15,806), followed by Chris Paul (12,552), Jason Kidd (12,091), LeBron James (11,673), Steve Nash (10,335), and Mark Jackson (10,334) on the NBA’s career assists leaderboard.

Westbrook’s career achievements

This latest milestone adds to an already decorated career. Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star, former NBA MVP (2017), and two-time scoring champion. He has also led the league in assists three times and remains the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles.