Ben Simmons has hit back at an NBA veteran who accused him of ‘quitting’, as 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 trade to the Raptors, but the Department of Justice has now reportedly opened a criminal investigation into the Clippers’ dealings with Leonard.
The Detroit Pistons and their All-NBA big man remain apart in contract negotiations with a rival suitor emerging, while the Phoenix Suns will be without their big man for several months.
All of this and more in the latest edition of NBA Daily.
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SIMMONS CLAPS BACK AT NBA VET’S ‘BRUTAL’ SWIPE
NBA veteran Patrick Beverley has delivered a brutal and unapologetic assessment of Ben Simmons after the 30-year-old signed with the Sacramento Kings.
Beverley, who played over 650 NBA games, delivered a blunt assessment of the Kings’ decision to sign Simmons after a year out of the game, prompting Simmons to respond and defend himself.
“I don’t think it’s fair that you can quit the game of basketball and come back,” Beverley said.
“Like, you can quit with not having a ton of success.
“You can quit because the game is hard, and it’s stressful, and you’re not playing well, and the fans are on you, and the media is on you.
“You can quit and have an opportunity to come back?”
Beverley then pointed to other former NBA players who remain without contracts as they look to return to the league.
“We’ve been looking at Victor Oladipo,” Beverley said.
“Who’s been competing, who went to the G-League, worked out in front of a ton of coaches and GMs and writing letters.
“This is the guy you pick!”
Beverley made it clear he wasn’t trying to discredit Simmons but questioned the idea of walking away when things became difficult.
“I’m not with quitting when it’s hard… everywhere I go it’s an issue and excuse.”
Simmons later took to Instagram to respond to Beverley’s criticism.
“Walk away…. ??” Simmons wrote on Instagram.
“This ain’t no handout, I worked my ass off to be in this position…
“And I’m very grateful to be in position to play the game I fu**ing love!
“Y’all will continue to make up stories for your own benefits and that’s more telling about who you are.”
Beverley joins ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith among those to criticise Simmons following his NBA return.
Smith took aim at Simmons’ reluctance to shoot the ball and questioned his value to Sacramento.
“He treated taking a shot as if you asked him to be on the front lines in Afghanistan… how come he isn’t paying Sacramento?
“He should be paying them to let him play.”
Simmons returns to the NBA after missing the 2025-26 season, having last played 18 games with the Los Angeles Clippers during 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 trade between the Clippers and Toronto Raptors has received a major update.
According to Marc Stein, the Clippers and Raptors are free to re-submit the Kawhi Leonard trade for NBA approval after initially agreeing to the deal in June.
The deal would see the Raptors reunite with Leonard, who helped deliver their 2019 NBA championship, while the Clippers would begin retooling after losing five first-round picks following the NBA’s investigation.
The Clippers would receive a package including Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, a 2027 pick swap, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and two future second-round picks.
While the belief is the trade would be approved, a bombshell report from the New York Times has added another layer of uncertainty.
According to the New York Times, prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into revelations that the Clippers helped arrange secret sponsorship contracts for Kawhi Leonard that circumvented the salary cap.
The investigation is being led by the Eastern District of New York, the same district overseeing the gambling scandal that includes Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier.
Further details surrounding the investigation remain unclear.
DUREN AND PISTONS NO CLOSER… AS SUITOR EMERGES
The Detroit Pistons and Jalen Duren are still at a stalemate as the team, and the 22-year-old centre remain apart in their contract negotiations.
The Pistons big man experienced his best season in the NBA after being named an All-Star and a member of the All-NBA Third Team.
But Duren’s camp is seeking a deal worth at least $40 million annually, according to The Athletic.
Duren is eligible for a five-year, $287 million (A$400 million) contract and is reportedly seeking at least $200 million, while Detroit’s latest offer sits at roughly five years and $190 million.
Only seven NBA centres currently make at least $40 million per year: Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Bam Adebayo, Victor Wembanyama and Domantas Sabonis.
The Sacramento Kings are emerging as a possible suitor for the All-NBA big man if Detroit is unwilling to move closer to Duren’s asking price.
For a trade to be facilitated, Sabonis would need to be included in the deal, with Sacramento reportedly willing to offer Duren a max contract to pair him alongside rookie Darius Acuff Jr.
Duren has also kept his distance from the Pistons this off-season.
The 22-year-old reportedly did not attend a San Diego team minicamp organised by Cade Cunningham during the week of August 23, while he was also absent from the Labor Day team party at owner Tom Gores’ Southern California home.
SUNS BIG MAN RULED OUT
The Phoenix Suns have been dealt a major blow before the start of the season, with their big man ruled out for several months.
Mark Williams has been ruled out for an extended period, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting the big man underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Williams suffered the injury during an off-season workout.
With Williams sidelined, the Suns could now turn to 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach in the middle.
Phoenix could elect to start Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges and Maluach.