Latest news with #PhoenixSuns
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why are Celtics interested in Ben Simmons? What to make of latest report
Why are Celtics interested in Ben Simmons? What to make of latest report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston It's been an interesting offseason in Boston, to say the least. And a new report involving the Celtics is another head-scratcher. Here's what longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein wrote in his Substack on Sunday night: 'League sources say that the Suns have also had some recent dialogue with former All-Star Ben Simmons, who I'm told has drawn interest since free agency began from Boston, New York and Sacramento.' Yes, Stein is referring to that Ben Simmons: the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft who won NBA Rookie of the Year with the Philadelphia 76ers but has fallen off a cliff since his trade from Philly to Brooklyn in 2022. Simmons appeared in just 51 games last season between the Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists over 22.0 minutes per game. He was a fringe rotation player at best for the Clippers and scored four total points over five playoff games last season. So, why would the Celtics want to get in the Simmons business? From a practical standpoint, Boston could only offer Simmons a veteran minimum contract due to salary constraints as they aim to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. But there's a good chance Simmons would play on a minimum deal at this point in his career after being bought out of his previous contract. Simmons just turned 29 on Sunday and at 6-foot-10 is still a strong defender who can facilitate offense and rebound. As the Celtics enter a 'gap year' while Jayson Tatum rehabs from a ruptured Achilles tendon, it's worth at least kicking the tires on reclamation projects like the former Sixers star. That's the case for adding Simmons — but the case against is much stronger, and it boils down to one factor: He can't shoot. Simmons hasn't attempted a 3-pointer since the 2022-23 season and is 5 for 36 in his career from beyond the arc. He's virtually ineffective outside the paint, which makes it hard to imagine him fitting in on a Celtics team that just smashed the NBA record for most 3-pointers attempted in a season. The C's are better served giving minutes to young players like recent free agent signings Josh Minott and Luka Garza and rookie Hugo Gonzalez in the hope that they develop into key rotation pieces when Tatum returns to full strength. Simmons hasn't been an impact player in nearly five years, and the Celtics should resist the urge to 'buy low' on a player whose off-court drama outweighs his on-court contributions.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bradley Beal's Agent Sends Clear Message To Clippers: 'Let Him Be Brad Beal'
Bradley Beal's Agent Sends Clear Message To Clippers: 'Let Him Be Brad Beal' originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Bradley Beal is getting a fresh start in Los Angeles, but his success depends on one thing: being allowed to play his game. That's the message from longtime agent Mark Bartelstein, who made it clear that the Clippers need to give Beal the green light if they want to unlock his full potential. After a rocky stint with the Phoenix Suns, Beal is now hoping to revive his career as a featured member of the Clippers' new-look starting five. "He is always going to play the right way. He's always going to be selfless," said Bartelstein in a chat with Mark Medina of Sportskeeda. "But if you have Brad Beal on your team, you have to let him be Brad Beal. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense and you're not getting the best version of him." Beal, 32, is coming off one of the worst stretches of his NBA career, which ended this summer when he agreed to a buyout with the Phoenix Suns. While he refused to give up a single penny in the buyout negotiations, Bartelstein insists that Beal's top priority remains winning. "Brad is one of the most selfless players that I've ever been around," Bartelstein said. "Brad is going to do whatever it takes to win. But the point of the matter is this guy is a very, very special player. He's a very special talent. You can't average 30 points in this league twice at the efficiency level that he did it at without being one of the very, very best there is." Beal's short-lived tenure with the Suns was widely considered a failure. In 53 games last season, he saw career lows in usage and shot attempts as his stats fell to 17.0 points and 3.7 assists per game. He struggled to find a rhythm behind Kevin Durant and Devin Booker and failed to find his voice in the locker room. Now that he's free from Phoenix, Beal is eager to start fresh with the Clippers—on a team he believes is the right fit for his skills and mindset. Before his first game in Los Angeles, he's making it known that the formula for success involves more ball-handling, shot creation, and offensive freedom than he ever saw in Phoenix. At his peak, Beal was a beast for the Washington Wizards and one of the top offensive guards in the game. During the 2020-21 campaign, he averaged 31.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 48.5% shooting. He was a 3x All-Star from 2017-2021, two years removed from his dramatic breakup with the Wizards. To bring out the best in Beal, the Clippers will have to let him attack downhill, take the ball in isolation, and utilize pick-and-roll action for clean and efficient shots. As he works to build chemistry with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, Beal will need the freedom to carve out his role within the offense. While there are some concerns about the Clippers' trajectory, most can agree that Beal makes an ideal fit for the Clippers due to his shot-making, offensive diversity, and veteran leadership. As Beal prepares to join, his agent says the key to unlocking his potential is giving him full freedom to be himself on the court. For the Clippers, unlocking the best version of Bradley Beal could be the key to contending in the Western Conference. But that only happens if they follow his agent's advice and give him the space and the trust to be the player he knows he can still story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Golden State Warriors Reportedly Almost Landed $251,019,650 Phoenix Suns Superstar Amid Buyout Rumors
Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry (Image via: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) As speculation mounted regarding Bradley Beal 's potential buyout from the Phoenix Suns, the Golden State Warriors quickly emerged as a serious contender to land the three-time All-Star guard. With Stephen Curry , Draymond Green, and recently acquired Jimmy Butler pushing for one last title run, Beal's availability piqued widespread interest around the league. Why Bradley Beal Made Sense for the Golden State Warriors Instant Offensive Upgrade Bradley Beal 's addition would have significantly boosted Golden State 's scoring arsenal. A proven 20+ PPG scorer throughout his career, Beal shot an impressive 40.7% from three with the Suns in 2024–25, making him an ideal fit in the Golden State Warriors' ball-movement-heavy offense. His perimeter threat would create more space for Curry and Butler, and punish teams for defensive lapses. Backcourt Chemistry with Stephen Curry FILE - Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File) A Curry-Beal pairing could have formed one of the NBA's most electric offensive duos. Beal's on-ball creation, midrange proficiency, and ability to score at all three levels would have complemented Curry's off-ball brilliance. Crucially, it would also allow Golden State to manage the 38-year-old Curry's workload by shifting some of the scoring and playmaking burden to Beal. Depth and Rotation Versatility By staggering Bradley Beal with Curry or Butler, head coach Steve Kerr could have kept a go-to scorer on the floor at all times. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Beal's ability to lead bench units and generate offense without assistance would have added a valuable dimension to the Golden State Warriors' second unit. Veteran Leadership and Playoff Mettle A respected voice in the locker room with playoff experience, Bradley Beal would've brought added poise to a Warriors team still reeling from last season's early postseason exit. His presence could have helped stabilize the team in high-pressure moments. The Salary Hurdle Despite the mutual interest, the Golden State Warriors' financial constraints posed a major obstacle. Reports indicate Golden State could only extend a minimum contract to Bradley Beal, far below what he hoped to earn after his buyout with Phoenix. The front office explored the possibility of freeing up the full mid-level exception (MLE)—potentially by dealing a promising young player like Jonathan Kuminga—but such a move raised questions about mortgaging the future for a short-term gain. Strengths Beal Brings Warriors' Challenges High-level shooter & scorer Could only offer a minimum contract Versatile offensive weapon Might require trading young talent Locker room leadership & playoff savvy Sacrifices long-term player development Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors might sign $48 million Milwaukee Bucks star to bolster roster and improve Stephen Curry's Championship odds Ultimately, had Bradley Beal picked the Golden State Warriors over the Clippers, he would have filled a crucial role as a secondary scorer and elite floor-spacer, easing Curry's burden and strengthening Golden State's shot at another championship. The only unknown was whether both sides could have found a financial compromise—and if Beal was ready to sacrifice salary in exchange for a ring. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
19 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Several other teams pursued Marcus Smart after his contract buyout
On Saturday, veteran guard Marcus Smart agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Washington Wizards that would've paid him $21.6 million this coming season. He quickly agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year, $11 million contract once he clears waivers and once the Lakers clear enough space under the first apron of the salary cap. Smart, 31, has long been known as a defensive menace. He has made three All-Defensive first teams and was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, and he is also a solid secondary ball-handler and facilitator. As long as he is spry and healthy, he should seriously improve the Lakers' anemic perimeter defense. Perhaps Smart didn't just fall into the Lakers' lap. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks also went after him. "The Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks seriously pursued Smart, who received permission to speak to teams along with his agent, Jason Glushon, and had positive conversations with personnel from all three teams, sources said," Charania wrote. "After losing Dorian Finney-Smith, a point-of-attack wing defender was a major position of need for the Lakers." The New York Knicks, who, like the Lakers, are trying to get over the hump and win the NBA championship, reportedly also had interest in Smart. But per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the Knicks couldn't offer him enough playing time. The Knicks, who reached the Eastern Conference Finals in May, have a crowded backcourt. They already have Miles McBride, a noted spark plug, coming off the bench, and they also added former Lakers and 2021 Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson. The Lakers badly need someone such as Smart who can contain opposing guards. His game has waned a bit over the past couple of seasons, and he has appeared in just 54 games over the last two years, but it isn't a stretch to imagine him returning to form this coming season. He could essentially take over the role Gabe Vincent played. Vincent brings effort on the defensive end, but his outside shooting is sporadic, and when he isn't hitting from 3-point range, he seems to be a dead weight on the court.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phoenix Suns resting Khaman Maluach, three more players in NBA Summer League finale
The Phoenix Suns are resting Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro and rookies Khaman Maluach and Koby Brea for their final 2025 NBA Summer League game Saturday, July 19, against the Portland Trail Blazers at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas The Suns (1-3) have lost their past three games in Vegas while the Blazers are 3-1 through four games. Second-round pick Rasheer Fleming is set to play. He missed the first two games with right knee soreness, but has played the past two. He's scored seven points in each game. Fleming will get the start along with Boogie Ellis, Khalif Battle, Moses Wood and CJ Huntley. Ighodaro played in the first four games for the Suns, averaging 12.3 points on 57.1% shooting and 8.5 rebounds. Dunn, Maluach and Brea have each seen action in three games. Dunn has led the team in scoring at 14.7 points a game. Shooting 48.5% from the field, Dunn has made 37.5% of his 3s. Dunn appeared to hurt his left foot or ankle in the third quarter of Wednesday's loss to Minnesota, but played through it in the fourth. Maluach, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 draft, is averaging 10 points on 35.7% shooting in Vegas. The 7-footer averaged 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 shots a game. Brea sat out Wednesday with a left thumb sprain after injuring it Phoenix's previous game against Atlanta. The second-round pick averaged 12 points, shooting 42.9% from 3 in his three games. Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@ or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin. Support local journalism: Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns resting Khaman Maluach, three more in NBA Summer League finale
