Ben Simmons’ NBA comeback bid has taken another major step, with a general manager reportedly travelling to Florida to watch the three-time All-Star work out as he pushes for a return to the league.
The Australian’s latest development headlines a busy NBA rumour mill, with one of the offseason’s longest-running contract sagas finally appearing close to a blockbuster resolution.
Meanwhile, the race for another prized young star is heating up, with active sign-and-trade talks underway and a preferred destination beginning to emerge.
All that and more in today’s NBA Daily!
KINGS EYE SIMMONS COMEBACK
Ben Simmons’ NBA comeback bid is gathering momentum, with Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry reportedly set to watch the Australian work out in Florida.
According to Sactown Sports’ Carmichael Dave, Perry will be in attendance as the Kings consider the three-time All-Star, who is looking to return to the NBA after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season.
The 30-year-old has not played in the NBA since finishing the 2024-25 campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers, but boasts a resume featuring an All-NBA selection and two All-Defensive First Team honours.
Sacramento could now emerge as a potential landing spot, with the Kings exploring veteran depth behind No.7 overall pick Darius Acuff Jr.
Simmons has also recently reiterated his desire to finally represent Australia at senior level after participating in a Boomers mini-camp in Melbourne as he works towards his basketball comeback.
“Yeah, that’s why I’m here,” Simmons said when asked whether he wanted to play for Australia.
“It’s a long way to fly just to not do it.”
A deal with Sacramento would give Simmons another opportunity to revive his NBA career, and potentially put himself back in the frame for a long-awaited Boomers debut.
DUREN, PISTONS CLOSING IN ON MEGA DEAL
One of the NBA offseason’s longest-running contract sagas finally appears close to a resolution, with Jalen Duren expected to remain with the Detroit Pistons.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Duren is expected to re-sign with Detroit on a deal worth upwards of $US160 million across four years.
The development comes after months of negotiations between the two sides, with Duren’s camp pushing for a maximum contract following his breakout 2025-26 campaign and first All-NBA selection.
The 22-year-old became eligible for a five-year deal worth up to $US287 million, while Detroit remained reluctant to meet that price, resulting in a drawn-out stalemate that stretched deep into the offseason.
But with a deal now expected to land north of $US40 million per season, the two sides appear to have found common ground to keep Duren alongside Cade Cunningham as a cornerstone of Detroit’s future.
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LAKERS RAMP UP KUMINGA PURSUIT
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly ramping up their pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga, with fresh sign-and-trade discussions underway with the Atlanta Hawks.
According to Kurt Helin, the two teams are in active talks over a deal that would send Jaden Hardy to Atlanta and Kuminga to Los Angeles.
The Lakers and Hawks have explored sign-and-trade possibilities throughout the offseason, although previous discussions stalled as Atlanta looked to avoid adding salary without receiving sufficient compensation.
Hardy has now emerged in the latest framework after earlier talks reportedly centred around Jarred Vanderbilt, with his smaller $US6 million salary potentially making a deal easier to construct.
It comes as Kuminga continues to favour a move to Los Angeles, with NBA insider Jake Fischer reporting the Lakers’ pitch has centred around giving the 23-year-old a starting role alongside Luka Doncic and the opportunity to earn a more lucrative contract next offseason.
The Lakers have remained one of the strongest suitors for Kuminga throughout the offseason as they continue reshaping their roster around Doncic.
Now, after weeks of uncertainty surrounding one of the biggest remaining names on the market, Los Angeles and Atlanta appear to be making another push towards finding a solution.
WARRIORS COMPLETE ROSTER WITH DOUBLE SWOOP
The Golden State Warriors have filled their final two roster spots, signing Brandon Williams and Georges Niang to one-year deals as they put the finishing touches on their offseason.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Williams has agreed to a one-year, $US2.6 million deal after averaging 13 points and 3.9 assists across 66 games for Dallas last season.
Golden State has also added veteran sharpshooter Niang on a one-year, $US3.9 million contract after the 33-year-old missed the entire 2025-26 season through injury.
Niang enters his 11th NBA season as a career 40 per cent three-point shooter, providing another floor-spacing option for a Warriors roster still built around Stephen Curry.
The double signing completes a busy offseason for Golden State, which drafted Yaxel Lendeborg and retained Charles Bassey, Draymond Green, Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II and Kristaps Porzingis.
With Williams and Niang now added to the mix, the Warriors have filled their remaining roster spots and appear to have their group set ahead of the new season.
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MATHURIN FUTURE DOWN TO TWO OPTIONS
Bennedict Mathurin’s future appears to be coming down to two options, with the New Orleans Pelicans emerging as the aggressive suitor for the restricted free agent.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Mathurin is expected to either land in New Orleans through a sign-and-trade or accept his qualifying offer to remain in Los Angeles for another season.
The Pelicans have reportedly been the one team to aggressively pursue Mathurin as they explore the possibility of adding the 24-year-old to their young core.
Mathurin’s restricted free agency has dragged deep into the offseason without a long-term agreement, leaving the qualifying offer as an increasingly realistic path if a sign-and-trade cannot be completed.
Accepting it would allow Mathurin to return to LA for the 2026-27 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent next offseason, while New Orleans remains the major threat to prise him away.
With the market narrowing, Mathurin now appears headed towards either a fresh start with the Pelicans or one more season in Los Angeles.
BUTLER HANDED HUGE INJURY BOOST
The Golden State Warriors have received an encouraging update on Jimmy Butler, with the six-time All-Star reportedly increasingly likely to return before the 2027 NBA trade deadline.
According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, Butler has suffered no setbacks or limitations during his recovery from the torn ACL that ended his 2025-26 season and there have been indications he could be ahead of schedule.
“If Butler can get back on the floor before the trade deadline, which appears very likely at the moment, this organization will be able to figure out their plan heading into the trade madness and what their playoff outlook is,” Siegel wrote.
An exact return date remains unclear, with the Warriors yet to publicly establish a timetable for the 36-year-old.
But a return before February’s trade deadline would give Golden State an opportunity to assess Butler alongside Stephen Curry before deciding whether further moves are needed for a playoff push.
Butler averaged 20 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists before tearing his ACL in January.
BLAZERS ROCKED BY SHARPE INJURY BLOW
The Portland Trail Blazers have been dealt a major blow ahead of the new NBA season, with Shaedon Sharpe reportedly expected to miss six months after suffering a torn meniscus in his knee.
According to ESPN, Sharpe sustained the injury during the offseason and now faces an extended period on the sidelines.
The timeline would rule the 23-year-old out for the beginning of the 2026-27 season and potentially keep him sidelined until around February as Portland battles for position in a loaded Western Conference.
It is a brutal setback for both Sharpe and the Trail Blazers, with the explosive guard establishing himself as a major piece of Portland’s young core.
His absence now leaves the Blazers facing a significant early-season hole in their backcourt as Sharpe begins the long road back from injury.