{"id":261159,"date":"2026-09-06T00:36:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T00:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/06\/simmons-eyes-long-term-stay-after-nba-comeback-gamble-why-kawhi-escaped-suspension-daily\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T00:36:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T00:36:00","slug":"simmons-eyes-long-term-stay-after-nba-comeback-gamble-why-kawhi-escaped-suspension-daily","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/06\/simmons-eyes-long-term-stay-after-nba-comeback-gamble-why-kawhi-escaped-suspension-daily\/","title":{"rendered":"Simmons eyes long-term stay after NBA comeback gamble; why Kawhi escaped suspension \u2013 Daily"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ben Simmons could already have his eyes on a long-term future with his new team, while fresh details have emerged on why Kawhi Leonard escaped a harsher punishment.<\/p>\n

Plus, a young star reportedly feels \u201cundervalued\u201d as uncertainty surrounds his future, while a championship forward could be on the trade block.<\/p>\n

All of this and more in the latest edition of NBA Daily.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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Watch LIVE coverage of the 2026 WNBA regular season, Playoffs and Finals with ESPN on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

SIMMONS EYES LONG-TERM KINGS STAY AFTER NBA COMEBACK GAMBLE<\/b><\/p>\n

Ben Simmons could already have his eyes on a longer stay in Sacramento, despite the former All-NBA star only just beginning his comeback to the league.<\/p>\n

After sitting out the entire 2025-26 season, Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Kings to return for his 10th NBA campaign.<\/p>\n

For Sacramento, it represents a relatively low-risk gamble on a player who, at his peak, was one of the most unique talents in basketball.<\/p>\n

Simmons is a three-time All-Star, former All-NBA selection and two-time All-Defensive First Team member, but his career has been derailed in recent years as injuries and availability issues saw his standing in the league plummet.<\/p>\n

Now Sacramento has handed the Australian an opportunity to resurrect his career without tying itself to a significant financial or long-term commitment.<\/p>\n

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Simmons is preparing for his NBA return after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season.<\/span>Source: FOX SPORTS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But while the deal only runs for one season, Simmons could already be warming to the idea of making Sacramento home beyond it.<\/p>\n

According to Marc J. Spears, Simmons is open to a long-term stay with the Kings, with the smaller market and basketball-first environment appealing to the Australian.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne thing he likes about Sacramento is\u2026 he\u2019s never played in a small market and sometimes that\u2019s a safer haven,\u201d Spears said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go to Sacramento, it\u2019s about basketball. I\u2019d put their fans up there with anyone in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

It adds another fascinating layer to Sacramento\u2019s gamble.<\/p>\n

At just $3.5 million on a one-year deal, there is little risk attached for the Kings if Simmons\u2019 NBA comeback doesn\u2019t work out.<\/p>\n

But if the 30-year-old can rediscover even some of the form that once made him an All-NBA talent, Sacramento may have found significant value at a bargain price.<\/p>\n

WHY KAWHI ESCAPED SUSPENSION<\/b><\/p>\n

Kawhi Leonard reportedly avoided a potentially harsher punishment or suspension over the Clippers salary cap scandal after the NBA and players\u2019 union reached an agreement directly over his discipline.<\/p>\n

According to The Athletic, the NBA and NBPA settled on Leonard\u2019s punishment without the matter needing to go through arbitration, ultimately leaving the two-time NBA champion with a $700,000 fine but no suspension.<\/p>\n

The outcome means Leonard remains free to play next season, while his contract and Bird rights were also left unaffected.<\/p>\n

It could have been considerably worse.<\/p>\n

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Kawhi Leonard avoided a suspension after the NBA and NBPA reached an agreement over his punishment.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Under the NBA\u2019s collective bargaining agreement, salary cap circumvention violations can carry significant penalties, including the possibility of a player contract being voided.<\/p>\n

The threat of arbitration had loomed over the investigation, with the NBPA previously prepared to challenge any punishment it believed was not supported by sufficient evidence.<\/p>\n

Instead, the league and union reached an agreement over Leonard\u2019s discipline, allowing the matter to avoid what could have become a lengthy arbitration battle.<\/p>\n

While Leonard escaped a suspension, the Clippers were hammered by the league, losing five future first-round draft picks and receiving a $30 million fine, while owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

HE\u2019S BACK: Australian star Ben Simmons lands Sacramento Kings deal in long-awaited NBA return<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

NBA DAILY: $200m demand sparks NBA stand-off as rivals circle; fresh Curry concern revealed<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

WORST NBA TRADES: They gave up an MVP and their future… and it somehow got even worse<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

DUREN FUTURE CLOUDS FREE-AGENT MARKET<\/b><\/p>\n

Jalen Duren\u2019s future in Detroit has taken another twist, with the restricted free agent and his camp reportedly not convinced the Pistons are where he wants to remain long-term.<\/p>\n

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, Duren and his camp \u201cdon\u2019t necessarily\u201d want to be in Detroit long-term because they do not feel the big man has been properly valued by the organisation.<\/p>\n

It adds another layer to what has become one of the most fascinating remaining situations of the NBA off-season, with Duren still available as a restricted free agent.<\/p>\n

The restricted status gives Detroit significant control over the situation, but the reported frustration from Duren\u2019s camp raises questions over whether the relationship can be repaired even if he ultimately remains with the Pistons.<\/p>\n

Duren is far from the only notable player still searching for clarity on his future, with several established NBA names remaining available as the new season approaches.<\/p>\n

And one of those veterans could be heading back to where his NBA career began.<\/p>\n

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Jalen Duren\u2019s future in Detroit is under a cloud amid reports his camp does not feel properly valued by the Pistons.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A reunion between Kevin Love and the Minnesota Timberwolves is reportedly a possibility, with The Athletic\u2019s Jon Krawczynski revealing there is interest from both sides in bringing the former All-Star back to Minnesota.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I understand, Kevin Love is open to coming back to Minnesota,\u201d Krawczynski said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do think the Wolves have some interest in bringing him back as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would just be a phenomenal story if the Wolves did decide to fill that spot, and they did it with Kevin Love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Love spent the first six seasons of his NBA career with Minnesota before being traded to Cleveland in 2014, where he would eventually win a championship alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.<\/p>\n

A return would bring Love\u2019s career full circle as the veteran searches for his next home.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, another former All-Star is continuing his push towards an NBA comeback.<\/p>\n

The Miami Heat are reportedly monitoring Victor Oladipo\u2019s comeback attempt and have granted the veteran clearance to work out at the team\u2019s arena, according to Ira Winderman.<\/p>\n

Oladipo has battled significant injury issues throughout the latter stages of his career, but the development provides another sign the former two-time All-Star is attempting to work his way back onto an NBA roster.<\/p>\n

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Kevin Love could be in line for an emotional return to Minnesota, with reported interest in a reunion from both sides.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There is still plenty of established talent elsewhere on the market, with Cam Thomas among the most intriguing unsigned players after establishing himself as a prolific scorer during his time in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

Veteran guards Bruce Brown and Seth Curry also remain available, offering contenders potential experience and depth in the backcourt, while experienced big man Dwight Powell is another recognisable name yet to find his next destination.<\/p>\n

It leaves a fascinating collection of talent still on the board as teams continue to assess their rosters, ranging from a 22-year-old restricted free agent in Duren to former All-Stars in Love and Oladipo and proven veterans in Brown, Curry and Powell.<\/p>\n

With training camps approaching, there could still be plenty of movement to come as some of the biggest remaining names on the market search for their next opportunity.<\/p>\n

MPJ ALREADY ON THE MOVE?<\/b><\/p>\n

Michael Porter Jr.\u2019s time in Brooklyn could already be nearing an end, with the Nets reportedly viewing the forward more as a trade asset than a long-term piece.<\/p>\n

According to Erik Slater, Brooklyn\u2019s front office does not necessarily see Porter Jr. as part of its long-term plans, opening the door for another move involving the 28-year-old.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Nets view Michael Porter Jr. more as a trade asset than a long-term piece,\u201d Slater reported, adding that his tenure in Brooklyn \u201cmight be coming to a close shortly\u201d.<\/p>\n

It would represent another significant change for Porter Jr., who landed in Brooklyn after being traded by Denver as the Nets continued to reshape their roster.<\/p>\n

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Michael Porter Jr. could already be on the move again, with Brooklyn reportedly viewing him as a trade asset rather than a long-term piece.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For Brooklyn, Porter Jr.\u2019s value could ultimately come from what he can return on the trade market rather than what he provides on the court long-term.<\/p>\n

With his size, shooting and championship experience, the forward could emerge as an intriguing target for contenders looking to add another proven scoring option.<\/p>\n

If Brooklyn is prepared to move him sooner rather than later, Porter Jr. could become one of the more notable names to watch on the trade market as the new season approaches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ben Simmons could already have his eyes on a long-term future with his new team, while fresh details have emerged on why Kawhi Leonard escaped a harsher punishment. Plus, a young star reportedly feels \u201cundervalued\u201d as uncertainty surrounds his future, while a championship forward could be on the trade block. All of this and more […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":261160,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6807],"tags":[156],"class_list":{"0":"post-261159","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leagues-cups","8":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/261159","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=261159"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/261159\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/261160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=261159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=261159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=261159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}