Category: Main Rumors

Contract extension on the radar for Karl-Anthony Towns

Towns has publicly committed to the Timberwolves several times, most recently at the end of the 2020-21 season, when he told reporters he wanted to have a career like Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant, spending it all with one team. According to someone …

Towns has publicly committed to the Timberwolves several times, most recently at the end of the 2020–21 season, when he told reporters he wanted to have a career like Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant, spending it all with one team. According to someone close to Towns, nothing related to that goal was altered in any meaningful way by Rosas’s dismissal. A contract extension is already on his radar.
Source: Michael Pina @ Sports Illustrated

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
Karl-Anthony Towns lost 50 pounds after he contracted COVID-19. He thought about stepping away from the game and had the symptoms of a panic attack when he was first cleared to travel with the Timberwolves.
On what Towns went through, and where he is now si.com/nba/2021/09/27… – 9:44 AM
Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
For today’s @SInow Daily Cover, I profiled Karl-Anthony Towns.
On last season’s unbearable lows, a summer of healing, and the most important year of his career about to come.
“I think I found some comfort in where my life is right now.” si.com/nba/2021/09/27… – 9:03 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Could a Karl-Anthony Towns trade request be the next shoe to drop in Minnesota?
🔊 Jon Krawczynski tells Zach Harper & Brian Geltzeiler why he doesn’t believe that’s the case right now. #RaisedByWolves pic.twitter.com/oua9xttmg7 – 1:16 PM
Karl-Anthony Towns @KarlTowns
This has been a great fight. Boxing at its highest level #JoshuaUsyk – 5:51 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Sam Presti emphasizes that the Thunder won’t take any shortcuts in this rebuilding process.
In other words, go ahead and trash your Karl-Anthony Towns and Ben Simmons trade machine results. – 11:21 AM

More on this storyline

 

 

Kyrie Irving out for media day due to NYC health and safety protocols

Zach Lowe: Kyrie Irving is not expected to attend Nets media day today due to New York City health and safety protocols but the Nets fully expect Irving to accompany the team to training camp in San Diego, sources tell @WindhorstESPN and I. Source: …

Zach Lowe: Kyrie Irving is not expected to attend Nets media day today due to New York City health and safety protocols but the Nets fully expect Irving to accompany the team to training camp in San Diego, sources tell @WindhorstESPN and I.

Source: Twitter @ZachLowe_NBA

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Nets’ Kyrie Irving will not be at Media Day today in Brooklyn due to health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. – 9:52 AM
Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
Kyrie Irving is not expected to attend Nets media day today due to New York City health and safety protocols but the Nets fully expect Irving to accompany the team to training camp in San Diego, sources tell @Brian Windhorst and I. – 9:50 AM
Tom Ziller @teamziller
Enough about Kyrie. The story here is that the NBA and its players’ union are allowing misinformation to take hold AND allowing anti-vaxxers or vaccine skeptics to control the narrative. ziller.substack.com/p/where-the-nb… – 9:32 AM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
The most shocking thing you will read today.
(At least, until Kyrie talks to the media). pic.twitter.com/Qi5V2HV5qS – 7:22 AM

Jon Hamm @JonMHamm
Look this Kyrie story ain’t great but at least Ben Simmons is practicing social distancing – 11:01 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Nets’ Kyrie Irving reportedly liking coronavirus conspiracy theories online nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/26/net… – 8:38 AM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
This anti-vax stuff about Kyrie Irving is pretty wild pic.twitter.com/6WQF7ioZFf – 10:14 PM

Sopan Deb @SopanDeb
What a piece from @sullduggery. Kyrie Irving’s aunt says Irving isn’t going to try to get a religious exemption to get around being an anti-vaxxer. He’s going to try to get around the rules. rollingstone.com/culture/cultur… pic.twitter.com/GpoDevKUWv – 9:37 PM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Since many have asked about Kyrie Irving, no I dont 100% know his vaccination status. That’s personal. Yes, he was courtside at the Sept. 12 #Sparks game. But the rules there vary based on 1) where he was sitting and 2) WNBA & LA County. They go by the stricter rule. #Nets #NBA – 9:28 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns Devin Booker 16th on @SInow #NBA Top 100.
Ahead of 24th Donovan Mitchell, 20th Zion Williamson, 19th Kyrie Irving, 18th Chris Paul and 17th Trae Young, but behind 15th Bradley Beal, 14th Jimmy Butler, 13th, Jayson Tatum, 12th Paul George.
Thoughts? bit.ly/2Wbg49f pic.twitter.com/bVum2WLYVX – 9:21 PM

Chris Broussard @Chris_Broussard
Can you blame Belichick for never ‘evolving’ with Brady? Why are folks so quick to crown Mac Jones? Should the Nets consider trading Kyrie? & more! Guests: @GregJennings @MichaelSHolley
Catch us live weeknights 7-10p ET on @FoxSportsRadio & @iHeartRadio podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… – 1:07 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
ICYMI: Injury updates on key players, including Klay Thompson, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving and others going into camps next week, in @The Athletic (w/50 percent off for new subscribers by clicking on the link): bit.ly/3o8hnRM – 10:00 AM

More on this storyline

Adam Zagoria: Kyrie Irving is expected at Nets’ media day Monday, per league sources. We’ll see how it plays out as he’s likely to face a lot of vaccination-related questions in the wake of the @RollingStone story. -via Twitter @AdamZagoria / September 26, 2021
Sean Cunningham: Andrew Wiggins request for religious exemption from COVID-19 vaccination denied by the NBA. League statement below. pic.twitter.com/kXFGXiS8hy -via Twitter @SeanCunningham / September 24, 2021

Russell Westbrook wanted Bradley Beal to ask out of Washington

And before Westbrook resorted to calling Leonsis, he had tried to convince Beal in the weeks leading up to the draft that they should both ask out of Washington, according to sources. Source: Bill Oram, Shams Charania, Sam Amick @ The Athletic …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Erik Gundersen @LeBron_Wire
Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is a fan of how Carmelo Anthony will play alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/26/rob… – 7:00 AM
Erik Gundersen @LeBron_Wire
Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is a fan of how Carmelo Anthony will play alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/26/rob… – 8:00 PM
Erik Gundersen @LeBron_Wire
Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is a fan of how Carmelo Anthony will play alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/26/rob… – 10:02 AM
Erik Gundersen @LeBron_Wire
LeBron James showed excitement for a new mural in L.A. featuring him and Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/25/lak… – 10:00 AM
Erik Gundersen @LeBron_Wire
LeBron James showed excitement for a new mural in L.A. featuring him and Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/25/lak… – 1:00 AM
Erik Gundersen @LeBron_Wire
LeBron James showed excitement for a new mural in L.A. featuring him and Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/25/lak… – 3:02 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. believes the team’s newfoud depth could lead to Bradley Beal realizing some untapped potential… on defense. nbcsports.com/washington/wiz… – 11:49 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns Devin Booker 16th on @SInow #NBA Top 100.
Ahead of 24th Donovan Mitchell, 20th Zion Williamson, 19th Kyrie Irving, 18th Chris Paul and 17th Trae Young, but behind 15th Bradley Beal, 14th Jimmy Butler, 13th, Jayson Tatum, 12th Paul George.
Thoughts? bit.ly/2Wbg49f pic.twitter.com/bVum2WLYVX – 9:21 PM

David Locke @DLocke09
LOCKED ON JAZZ – utahjazz.com/lockedonjazz
Have they forgotten how good Rudy Gobert is again?
Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, Trae Young or Bradley Beal who leads to more wins
#firstlisten – 6:02 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. is speaking with the media ahead of training camp. He says of Bradley Beal: “I think what’s lost is his defensive acumen. He has the ability to do it.” – 2:18 PM
David Locke @DLocke09
LOCKED ON JAZZ – They forgot how good Rudy Gobert is again? Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal or Trae Young where would you rank them? – lockedonjazz.net/jazz/they-forg… – 1:38 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Wizards build sustainable model around Bradley Beal. Now, they must keep him nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/24/wiz… – 12:00 PM
Erik Gundersen @LeBron_Wire
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is a top-30 player in the NBA in ESPN’s new ranking. lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/23/esp… – 10:00 AM

More on this storyline

Now the Wizards have Dinwiddie in their backcourt with Beal — although Beal’s future with the team has been the topic of plenty of speculation. “Obviously, I spoke to him, and obviously he’s his own man and his decisions are his own. So I can’t talk about his plans or what he’s going to do,” Dinwiddie said. “I think right now we’re both willing to kind of take a little bit of a bet on each other and try to do something special. All we can kind of focus on is the now, and if plans change then they change, but we’re here now and have a really special chance.” -via ESPN / August 10, 2021

Ben Simmons not concerned about potential Sixer fines

However, sources have said Simmons isn’t concerned about the fine. Money plays no role in his decision-making. Simmons is doing all the things that will lead to a trade. Source: Keith Pompey @ The Philadelphia Inquirer What’s the buzz on Twitter? …

However, sources have said Simmons isn’t concerned about the fine. Money plays no role in his decision-making. Simmons is doing all the things that will lead to a trade.
Source: Keith Pompey @ The Philadelphia Inquirer

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Who’s ready for Ben Simmons media d…..Sixers media day? pic.twitter.com/Ps3FCQxrF8 – 6:55 AM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
NEW episode of Pickaxe and Roll, presented by @DKSportsbook:
Stop worrying about a Ben Simmons trade. It ain’t happening. Not to the Nuggets anyway.
That and more on media week and training camp. denverstiffs.com/2021/9/27/2269… – 2:27 AM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Sixers fans, what do you want to find out at media day tomorrow that doesn’t involve Ben Simmons ? – 8:47 PM
Bob Garcia @bgarciaivsports
Stephen Curry Just stirred the pot again with his sly comments concerning Ben Simmons.
sportscasting.com/stephen-curry-… – 2:31 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
📆 Circle October 1st on your calendar.
@Bobby Marks tells @Brian Geltzeiler and @Sam Mitchell why that’s a key date in the Ben Simmons saga and how it might affect where the 76ers ultimately trade him. pic.twitter.com/ASLQE78xt7 – 1:30 PM
Jon Hamm @JonMHamm
Look this Kyrie story ain’t great but at least Ben Simmons is practicing social distancing – 11:01 AM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Controversial take: Ben Simmons and Rich Paul are acting completely rationally if their goal is to get Simmons on a new team.
This kind of a circus is built into the NBA experience if you want teams to have the best chance to retain the stars* they draft long-term. – 9:00 PM
Matt Steinmetz @SteinmetzNBA
Ben Simmons would be best drive-and-kick player Curry ever played with, and among best low-post double-team guys, too. – 8:50 PM
Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
I’m covering the Twins tonight and tomorrow so if the Timberwolves are going to trade for Ben Simmons, the next 36 hours would likely be the time they do it. – 7:04 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Multiple reports say Ben Simmons won’t play for the 76ers again.
Frank Isola tells Brian Scalabrine this shows “The Process” didn’t work in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/jcwrMdIltO – 3:35 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
The whole Philly fans are ruthless thing is crazy. This is definitely a tough fan base here, but they also appreciate the hell out of their athletes here. I’ll never forget the dude trying to help Ben Simmons with his free throws and supporting him. Give me a break man. – 3:16 PM
Mike Lynch @SportInfo247
I’m not even angry at Ben Simmons. Just disappointed
Ok, I’m also very, very angry – 2:56 PM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Ben Simmons turns away 76ers teammates request for meeting, won’t change mind about trade
sportando.basketball/en/ben-simmons… – 2:24 PM
Andrew Sharp @andrewsharp
Hearing Ben Simmons is spending all his days in an ornate Klutch panic room. Soundproof, no calls in or out, full court gym for IG highlight videos – 2:20 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Ben Simmons is reportedly remaining firm on wanting out of the 76ers.
@Brian Windhorst tells @Brian Geltzeiler and @Sam Mitchell that Simmons doesn’t intend on showing his face in Philadelphia again. pic.twitter.com/rVYY2kikgD – 2:00 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Sixers team group text to Ben Simmons: pic.twitter.com/Oc8F2uXjS8 – 1:46 PM

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Philadelphia’s next big decision in the Ben Simmons saga, what looms in Minnesota after the Wolves’ front-office implosion and more from around the league … all via my latest This Week In Basketball column: marcstein.substack.com/p/weekend-dime… – 1:30 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Report: Sixers teammates wanted to meet with Ben Simmons, he turned them away nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/25/rep… – 1:24 PM
The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Sixers players wanted to fly to LA this week to meet with Ben Simmons but were told not to and that he didn’t want to meet, per @Shams Charania. pic.twitter.com/LjuGSB3PPY – 1:17 PM

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: Philadelphia 76ers players wanted to take a jet to Los Angeles this week to meet with Ben Simmons, but were informed not to come and that the three-time All-Star did not want to meet.
Details: theathletic.com/news/ben-simmo… – 12:56 PM
Candace Buckner @CandaceDBuckner
Good morning! I wrote a column about Ben Simmons and who gets to be called a ‘superstar’ in the NBA:
washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/09… – 9:08 AM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Still completely slack-jawed at Doc Rivers comparing Ben Simmons and his representatives to Trump supporting, Big Lie denialists days before training camp starts, as they’re in the middle of trying to convince Simmons to come back and join the team.
Sixers always gonna Sixer. – 8:02 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
What we learned with the Nuggets today:
– Tarik Black signed with Denver for training camp.
– Nikola Jokic is the 6th best player in the NBA, per ESPN
– Ben Simmons was spotted at Casa Bonita in Lakewood last night. Witnesses said he only lasted 15 seconds in Black Bart’s Cave – 9:27 PM
Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
For Sunday’s paper (but published online now!) I wrote about what the events of this week might signal about the Marc Lore/Rodriguez tenure and what this might mean more immediately for the Timberwolves pursuit of Ben Simmons: startribune.com/gersson-rosas-… – 4:28 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Doc Rivers makes a Donald Trump comparison while discussing Ben Simmons’ situation with 76ers
cbssports.com/nba/news/doc-r… – 4:03 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Assessing Timberwolves fallout after Gersson Rosas’ dismissal, from ownership’s role to a potential Ben Simmons trade
via @TheAthletic theathletic.com/2846535/2021/0… – 3:43 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
New #TheMismatch!
Join @Chris Vernon and @Kevin O’Connor as they discuss the front office upheaval in Minnesota, Ben Simmons’s potential to sit out training camp, and more!
therin.gr/75QTfYA – 3:37 PM
Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
On BRING IT IN @David Thorpe and @jarodhector on Ben Simmons as an actual human being truehoop.com/p/bring-it-in-… Really recommend taking a minute to read David’s free story “Healing Ben Simmons” truehoop.com/p/healing-ben-… pic.twitter.com/xIHf2ivzcY – 2:18 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Quiet final week of the NBA offseason? Yeah, right.
The latest in Philly, Minnesota and more all feature in my This Week In Basketball column freshly sent to inboxes worldwide: marcstein.substack.com/p/weekend-dime…
Sign up to get all the Ben Simmons coverage direct: marcstein.substack.com – 1:40 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Sam Presti emphasizes that the Thunder won’t take any shortcuts in this rebuilding process.
In other words, go ahead and trash your Karl-Anthony Towns and Ben Simmons trade machine results. – 11:21 AM

More on this storyline

 

Dane Moore: Whoever you talk to around the league, it’s a lot of the same thing when it comes to a Ben Simmons trade: “It all starts Monday”. If/when Simmons does not show up to training camp, that’s when the trade market really starts to materialize, and real offers start coming in. -via Twitter @DaneMooreNBA / September 27, 2021
76ers swingman Danny Green addressed the Simmons situation this week on the latest episode of his “Inside the Green Room” podcast. “This has nothing to do with the organization,” said Green. “This has to do with us. We just want to meet with him on a personal level, on a human being, friend level. If he still considers us friends, we don’t know if that’s the case yet or not. -via Larry Brown Sports / September 27, 2021

 

Devin Booker confirms he has COVID-19

Kellan olson: Devin Booker on his Twitch stream (http://twitch.tv/dbook ) confirms he has COVID-19. Said it has been about a week and he’ll be back in no time. He said he’s straight right now and the worst part is no taste and smell. He did not want …

Kellan olson: Devin Booker on his Twitch stream (http://twitch.tv/dbook ) confirms he has COVID-19. Said it has been about a week and he’ll be back in no time. He said he’s straight right now and the worst part is no taste and smell. He did not want to say if he has been vaccinated or not.
Source: Twitter @KellanOlson

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker out under #NBA health and safety protocols; Stanford all-time leading scorer Chasson Randle joins #Suns
Training camp begins Tuesday. Suns with 16 players with 14 on 15-man standard roster, Chandler Hutchison 2-way and Randle camp invite. bit.ly/3obd5JG pic.twitter.com/BdV78u0TUP – 10:55 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Devin Booker on his Twitch stream (twitch.tv/dbook) confirms he has COVID-19. Said it has been about a week and he’ll be back in no time. He said he’s straight right now and the worst part is no taste and smell. He did not want to say if he has been vaccinated or not. – 8:19 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Suns’ Booker to miss start of training camp due to health, safety protocols nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/26/sun… – 6:39 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix #Suns: Two-time All-Star Devin Booker out under #NBA health and safety protocols; will miss start of training camp azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 4:08 PM
The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Devin Booker will be out at the start of Suns training camp this week due to health and safety protocols, per @Shams Charania. pic.twitter.com/UB0XLXuhJr – 3:21 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix #Suns: Devin Booker out under NBA’s health and safety protocols azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/mvEabfCFfw – 3:16 PM

Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker to miss time to start training camp
sportando.basketball/en/phoenix-sun… – 3:16 PM
JD Shaw @JShawNBA
Suns star Devin Booker is in health and safety protocols and will miss the start of training camp, the team announced. – 3:04 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Suns announce that Devin Booker is in health and safety protocols. He will not be participating in media day on Monday or the start of training camp that begins on Tuesday. – 3:03 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker will miss time to start training camp this upcoming week due to health and safety protocols. – 3:03 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker is in health and safety protocols, #Suns just announced. – 3:02 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
One final flashback Devin Booker lefty work from 2018 training camp as #Suns open this year’s camp this week. pic.twitter.com/V0ijteIwUt – 2:13 PM

More on this storyline

 

Former NBA All-Star and Slam Dunk Contest champion Cedric Ceballos tweeted Monday that he’d been moved out of isolation and was “COVID-19 free” but was still in the intensive care unit and dealing with several things relating to the virus. Thanking those wishing him well in recent days, Ceballos said that while he is out of isolation, he still is unable to “breathe, walk or function” on his own yet. “I will still fight and I ask for uplifting on your end,” Ceballos said. -via ESPN / September 14, 2021

 

Devin Booker to miss start of training camp for health and safety protocols

Shams Charania: Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker will miss time to start training camp this upcoming week due to health and safety protocols. Source: Twitter @ShamsCharania What’s the buzz on Twitter? The Vertical @ YahooSportsNBA Devin Booker will be …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Devin Booker will be out at the start of Suns training camp this week due to health and safety protocols, per @Shams Charania. pic.twitter.com/UB0XLXuhJr – 3:21 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix #Suns: Devin Booker out under NBA’s health and safety protocols azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/mvEabfCFfw – 3:16 PM

Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker to miss time to start training camp
sportando.basketball/en/phoenix-sun… – 3:16 PM
JD Shaw @JShawNBA
Suns star Devin Booker is in health and safety protocols and will miss the start of training camp, the team announced. – 3:04 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Suns announce that Devin Booker is in health and safety protocols. He will not be participating in media day on Monday or the start of training camp that begins on Tuesday. – 3:03 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker will miss time to start training camp this upcoming week due to health and safety protocols. – 3:03 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker is in health and safety protocols, #Suns just announced. – 3:02 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
One final flashback Devin Booker lefty work from 2018 training camp as #Suns open this year’s camp this week. pic.twitter.com/V0ijteIwUt – 2:13 PM

Kerry Eggers @kerryeggers
That’s the second time Tyjon Lindsey has run out of bounds before being touched.
That’s not OK in my book.
#notaquarterback – 1:03 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns Devin Booker 16th on @SInow #NBA Top 100.
Ahead of 24th Donovan Mitchell, 20th Zion Williamson, 19th Kyrie Irving, 18th Chris Paul and 17th Trae Young, but behind 15th Bradley Beal, 14th Jimmy Butler, 13th, Jayson Tatum, 12th Paul George.
Thoughts? bit.ly/2Wbg49f pic.twitter.com/bVum2WLYVX – 9:21 PM

David Locke @DLocke09
LOCKED ON JAZZ – utahjazz.com/lockedonjazz
Have they forgotten how good Rudy Gobert is again?
Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, Trae Young or Bradley Beal who leads to more wins
#firstlisten – 6:02 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix #Suns: Devin Booker leads all five starters on SI Top 100 #NBA players list azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/UBIs0RRMHn – 4:11 PM

David Locke @DLocke09
LOCKED ON JAZZ – They forgot how good Rudy Gobert is again? Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal or Trae Young where would you rank them? – lockedonjazz.net/jazz/they-forg… – 1:38 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Got another Devin Booker lefty work video when his right hand wasn’t right. #Suns pic.twitter.com/9pO9nbd1zF – 10:45 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
In showing leg kicks on shots, Monty McCutchen is showing Devin Booker taking a jumper in the lane kicking his leg out to solely draw contact from the defender.
That’s considered a non-basketball move and will be viewed as an offensive foul now. #Suns – 3:48 PM

More on this storyline

 

Sean Cunningham: Andrew Wiggins request for religious exemption from COVID-19 vaccination denied by the NBA. League statement below. pic.twitter.com/kXFGXiS8hy -via Twitter @SeanCunningham / September 24, 2021

 

Kyrie Irving following and liking conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines

Irving, who serves as a vice president on the executive committee of the players’ union, recently started following and liking Instagram posts from a conspiracy theorist who claims that “secret societies” are implanting vaccines in a plot to connect …

Irving, who serves as a vice president on the executive committee of the players’ union, recently started following and liking Instagram posts from a conspiracy theorist who claims that “secret societies” are implanting vaccines in a plot to connect Black people to a master computer for “a plan of Satan.” This Moderna microchip misinformation campaign has spread across multiple NBA locker rooms and group chats, according to several of the dozen-plus current players, Hall-of-Famers, league executives, arena workers and virologists interviewed for this story over the past week.

Source: Matt Sullivan @ Rolling Stone

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
This anti-vax stuff about Kyrie Irving is pretty wild pic.twitter.com/6WQF7ioZFf – 10:14 PM

Sopan Deb @SopanDeb
What a piece from @sullduggery. Kyrie Irving’s aunt says Irving isn’t going to try to get a religious exemption to get around being an anti-vaxxer. He’s going to try to get around the rules. rollingstone.com/culture/cultur… pic.twitter.com/GpoDevKUWv – 9:37 PM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Since many have asked about Kyrie Irving, no I dont 100% know his vaccination status. That’s personal. Yes, he was courtside at the Sept. 12 #Sparks game. But the rules there vary based on 1) where he was sitting and 2) WNBA & LA County. They go by the stricter rule. #Nets #NBA – 9:28 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns Devin Booker 16th on @SInow #NBA Top 100.
Ahead of 24th Donovan Mitchell, 20th Zion Williamson, 19th Kyrie Irving, 18th Chris Paul and 17th Trae Young, but behind 15th Bradley Beal, 14th Jimmy Butler, 13th, Jayson Tatum, 12th Paul George.
Thoughts? bit.ly/2Wbg49f pic.twitter.com/bVum2WLYVX – 9:21 PM

Chris Broussard @Chris_Broussard
Can you blame Belichick for never ‘evolving’ with Brady? Why are folks so quick to crown Mac Jones? Should the Nets consider trading Kyrie? & more! Guests: @GregJennings @MichaelSHolley
Catch us live weeknights 7-10p ET on @FoxSportsRadio & @iHeartRadio podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… – 1:07 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
ICYMI: Injury updates on key players, including Klay Thompson, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving and others going into camps next week, in @The Athletic (w/50 percent off for new subscribers by clicking on the link): bit.ly/3o8hnRM – 10:00 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Kyrie Irving reportedly unvaccinated, could miss Nets home games nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/23/kyr… – 5:25 PM
Anthony Puccio @APOOCH
Love him or hate him: Kyrie Irving is one of the most compelling athletes in our time. – 4:21 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Unvaccinated #NBA players could be sidelined in some markets in 2021-22 season. This report cites multiple sources saying Kyrie Irving is among them. #Nets foxsports.com/stories/nba/un… – 3:41 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Kyrie Irving is among the unvaccinated players, per ⁦@Yaron Weitzman⁩ foxsports.com/stories/nba/un… – 3:23 PM
Sean Highkin @highkin
“One player who could be affected is Nets guard Kyrie Irving. According to multiple league sources, Irving has yet to receive a vaccine shot.” foxsports.com/stories/nba/un… – 3:12 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
With NBA camps opening next week, updates on a number of key players returning or still rehabbing injuries-from Klay Thompson to Joel Embiid to Kyrie Irving and James Harden-in @The Athletic: bit.ly/3o8hnRM – 12:00 PM
The Jump @_Talkin_NBA
ESPN’s #NBArank for the 21-22 season from 25 to 6:
25. Rudy Gobert
24. Karl-Anthony Towns
23. Zion Williamson
22. Jrue Holiday
21. Bam Adebayo
20. Kyrie Irving
19. Khris Middleton
18. Donovan Mitchell
17. Trae Young
16. Jimmy Butler
#NBATwitter – 8:55 AM

More on this storyline

“The NBA should insist that all players and staff are vaccinated or remove them from the team,” NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tells Rolling Stone. “There is no room for players who are willing to risk the health and lives of their teammates, the staff and the fans simply because they are unable to grasp the seriousness of the situation or do the necessary research. What I find especially disingenuous about the vaccine deniers is their arrogance at disbelieving immunology and other medical experts. Yet, if their child was sick or they themselves needed emergency medical treatment, how quickly would they do exactly what those same experts told them to do?” -via Rolling Stone / September 26, 2021
Isaac considers un-vaxxed players to be vilified and bullied, and he thinks “it’s an injustice” to automatically make heroes out of vaccinated celebrities. He rejects the NBA’s proposal for a vaccine mandate and social distancing for players like him during team travel: “You can play on the same court. We can touch the same ball. We can bump chests. We can do all those things on the court. And then when it comes to being on the bus, we have to be in different parts of the bus? To me, it doesn’t seem logically consistent. “If you are vaccinated, in other places you still have to wear the mask regardless. It’s like, ‘OK, then what is the mask necessarily for?’” Isaac continues. “And if Kyrie says that from his position of his executive power in the NBPA, then kudos to him.” -via Rolling Stone / September 26, 2021
A spokeswoman for Irving declined to respond to a list of questions regarding his vaccination and playing status, and Irving did not immediately respond to a message from Rolling Stone. But as teams return to pre-season training camps next week, fifty to sixty NBA players have yet to receive a single vaccine dose, league sources tell RS. Most are considered merely reluctant skeptics. Some of the holdouts, however, amount to their own shadow roster of anti-vaxxers mounting a behind-the-scenes resistance to Covid protocols — and the truth. -via Rolling Stone / September 26, 2021

Ben Simmons rejects meeting with 76ers teammates

Philadelphia 76ers players wanted to travel to Los Angeles this week to meet with Ben Simmons and spend time convincing their All-Star teammate to commit to the 2021-22 season with them, but they were informed not to come and that Simmons did not …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: Philadelphia 76ers players wanted to take a jet to Los Angeles this week to meet with Ben Simmons, but were informed not to come and that the three-time All-Star did not want to meet.
Details: theathletic.com/news/ben-simmo… – 12:56 PM
Candace Buckner @CandaceDBuckner
Good morning! I wrote a column about Ben Simmons and who gets to be called a ‘superstar’ in the NBA:
washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/09… – 9:08 AM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Still completely slack-jawed at Doc Rivers comparing Ben Simmons and his representatives to Trump supporting, Big Lie denialists days before training camp starts, as they’re in the middle of trying to convince Simmons to come back and join the team.
Sixers always gonna Sixer. – 8:02 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
What we learned with the Nuggets today:
– Tarik Black signed with Denver for training camp.
– Nikola Jokic is the 6th best player in the NBA, per ESPN
– Ben Simmons was spotted at Casa Bonita in Lakewood last night. Witnesses said he only lasted 15 seconds in Black Bart’s Cave – 9:27 PM
Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
For Sunday’s paper (but published online now!) I wrote about what the events of this week might signal about the Marc Lore/Rodriguez tenure and what this might mean more immediately for the Timberwolves pursuit of Ben Simmons: startribune.com/gersson-rosas-… – 4:28 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Doc Rivers makes a Donald Trump comparison while discussing Ben Simmons’ situation with 76ers
cbssports.com/nba/news/doc-r… – 4:03 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Assessing Timberwolves fallout after Gersson Rosas’ dismissal, from ownership’s role to a potential Ben Simmons trade
via @TheAthletic theathletic.com/2846535/2021/0… – 3:43 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
New #TheMismatch!
Join @Chris Vernon and @Kevin O’Connor as they discuss the front office upheaval in Minnesota, Ben Simmons’s potential to sit out training camp, and more!
therin.gr/75QTfYA – 3:37 PM
Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
On BRING IT IN @David Thorpe and @jarodhector on Ben Simmons as an actual human being truehoop.com/p/bring-it-in-… Really recommend taking a minute to read David’s free story “Healing Ben Simmons” truehoop.com/p/healing-ben-… pic.twitter.com/xIHf2ivzcY – 2:18 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Quiet final week of the NBA offseason? Yeah, right.
The latest in Philly, Minnesota and more all feature in my This Week In Basketball column freshly sent to inboxes worldwide: marcstein.substack.com/p/weekend-dime…
Sign up to get all the Ben Simmons coverage direct: marcstein.substack.com – 1:40 PM

More on this storyline

Wolves’ Sachin Gupta all in on acquiring Ben Simmons

Darren Wolfson: Sachin Gupta wants Ben Simmons. The same hurdles remain, but can he now be more creative on three-team scenarios? That still seems to be the key. But make not mistake: Gupta is all in on acquiring Ben Simmons. Source: Spotify What’s …

Darren Wolfson: Sachin Gupta wants Ben Simmons. The same hurdles remain, but can he now be more creative on three-team scenarios? That still seems to be the key. But make not mistake: Gupta is all in on acquiring Ben Simmons.
Source: Spotify

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Candace Buckner @CandaceDBuckner
Good morning! I wrote a column about Ben Simmons and who gets to be called a ‘superstar’ in the NBA:
washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/09… – 9:08 AM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Still completely slack-jawed at Doc Rivers comparing Ben Simmons and his representatives to Trump supporting, Big Lie denialists days before training camp starts, as they’re in the middle of trying to convince Simmons to come back and join the team.
Sixers always gonna Sixer. – 8:02 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
What we learned with the Nuggets today:
– Tarik Black signed with Denver for training camp.
– Nikola Jokic is the 6th best player in the NBA, per ESPN
– Ben Simmons was spotted at Casa Bonita in Lakewood last night. Witnesses said he only lasted 15 seconds in Black Bart’s Cave – 9:27 PM
Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
For Sunday’s paper (but published online now!) I wrote about what the events of this week might signal about the Marc Lore/Rodriguez tenure and what this might mean more immediately for the Timberwolves pursuit of Ben Simmons: startribune.com/gersson-rosas-… – 4:28 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Doc Rivers makes a Donald Trump comparison while discussing Ben Simmons’ situation with 76ers
cbssports.com/nba/news/doc-r… – 4:03 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Assessing Timberwolves fallout after Gersson Rosas’ dismissal, from ownership’s role to a potential Ben Simmons trade
via @TheAthletic theathletic.com/2846535/2021/0… – 3:43 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
New #TheMismatch!
Join @Chris Vernon and @Kevin O’Connor as they discuss the front office upheaval in Minnesota, Ben Simmons’s potential to sit out training camp, and more!
therin.gr/75QTfYA – 3:37 PM
Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
On BRING IT IN @David Thorpe and @jarodhector on Ben Simmons as an actual human being truehoop.com/p/bring-it-in-… Really recommend taking a minute to read David’s free story “Healing Ben Simmons” truehoop.com/p/healing-ben-… pic.twitter.com/xIHf2ivzcY – 2:18 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Quiet final week of the NBA offseason? Yeah, right.
The latest in Philly, Minnesota and more all feature in my This Week In Basketball column freshly sent to inboxes worldwide: marcstein.substack.com/p/weekend-dime…
Sign up to get all the Ben Simmons coverage direct: marcstein.substack.com – 1:40 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Sam Presti emphasizes that the Thunder won’t take any shortcuts in this rebuilding process.
In other words, go ahead and trash your Karl-Anthony Towns and Ben Simmons trade machine results. – 11:21 AM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Could Celtics get involved in potential Ben Simmons trade as a third team? | Winning Plays w/ @Rich Levine powered by @BetUS_Official pscp.tv/w/dBvCGHR3LTIw… – 8:30 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
How the Suns could get involved in Ben Simmons trade talks as a third party – bit.ly/3o0RDH9 via @PHNX_Suns pic.twitter.com/60gPrntAWS – 8:02 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
How much is too much for Ben Simmons? That’s one of the many complicated questions #Cavs are asking when it comes to a potential trade
cleveland.com/cavs/2021/09/s… – 4:56 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
On today’s episode of The Bell Ringer, I welcome @Nick_Friar with me to dissect the Ben Simmons trade drama as well as look at some proposals centered around him #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/23/bel… via @SixersWire – 4:48 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: Here’s what the #Sixers really hope for regarding Ben Simmons (for subscribers): bit.ly/3kxb2gD pic.twitter.com/CLLW8PR2fl – 3:30 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
New #Rockets at #TXSN – John Wall for Ben Simmons? Why trade could work but probably won’t ift.tt/3u6Vtzw – 3:18 PM
Austin Kent @AustinKent
Gilbert Arenas knows what’s up. I don’t think that you force this EXACT system in Philly, but I do think there’s a ton of room for optimization and growth with Ben Simmons. Probably elsewhere.
(Just now have to ALSO fix the confidence issues) pic.twitter.com/tI6L2nBz51 – 3:02 PM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
The NBA is fining Warriors owner Joe Lacob $50K for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule regarding his comments about Ben Simmons. warriorswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/22/nba… – 1:00 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: The #Sixers are planning to hold onto Ben Simmons, try to convince him to report to camp/preseson and play; Plus, source says Simmons & agent Rich Paul requested trade in late June ‘right after’ end of 2020-21 season (for subscribers): bit.ly/3kxb2gD pic.twitter.com/ZQdGHzXZf3 – 12:15 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
Should #Cavs go all-in on a Ben Simmons trade? Do they even have the pieces to make it work?
cleveland.com/cavs/2021/09/s… – 12:10 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Suns should get involved in Ben Simmons trade talks, but not in the way you might think. My latest for @PHNX_Suns: bit.ly/3o0RDH9 – 11:03 AM
Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
How much more can Giannis improve and how much does the Ben Simmons situation impact the East?
Joined @Kane Pitman on the latest @lockedonbucks …with video
youtu.be/xdaVmNJ8yB4 – 9:34 AM
Kane Pitman @KanePitman
New @lockedonbucks w/@Justin Garcia 🦌
How much improvement does Giannis have left? How will his game evolve next? How does the Ben Simmons situation impact Milwaukee?
🎙️ linktr.ee/LockedOnBucks
📺 youtu.be/xdaVmNJ8yB4 pic.twitter.com/DEu4yO53B1 – 8:00 AM

Chris Broussard @Chris_Broussard
Join us on @FTFonFS1 at 7:30 am ET with @getnickwright @kevinwildes @JennaWolfe & yours truly. We talk Justin Fields, Tom Brady, Ben Simmons & more.@FS1 – 7:18 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: The #Sixers are moving away from trying to trade Ben Simmons in favor of convincing him to report to camp & play for Philly. Plus, what will #76ers do about the $8.25 million payment that Simmons is owed October 1 (for subscribers)? bit.ly/3kxb2gD pic.twitter.com/LH7SOHMiMO – 6:45 AM

Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
Will be interesting to see what impact the promotion of Sachin Gupta has on additional moves the #Timberwolves might make before the start of training camp. Entire #NBA on pins and needles awaiting Ben Simmons resolution. No reason why Gupta could not become involved in some way. – 5:32 AM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
The NBA is fining Warriors owner Joe Lacob $50K for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule regarding his comments about Ben Simmons. warriorswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/22/nba… – 4:00 AM
Kane Pitman @KanePitman
New @lockedonbucks w/@Justin Garcia 🦌
How much improvement does Giannis have left? How will his game evolve next? How does the Ben Simmons situation impact Milwaukee?
YouTube 📺 youtu.be/xdaVmNJ8yB4 pic.twitter.com/8phfbnZFnq – 12:44 AM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: #Sixers are planning to hold onto Ben Simmons, try to convince him to report to camp and play; Plus, source says Simmons and agent Rich Paul requested trade in late June ‘right after’ end of 2020-21 season (for subscribers): bit.ly/3kxb2gD pic.twitter.com/ywoanFtkpw – 11:55 PM

John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
Can’t stop thinking about Joe Lacob getting a tampering fine for being like “Ben Simmons?…eh, nah” – 11:20 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: The #Sixers are moving away from trying to trade Ben Simmons in favor of convincing him to report to camp & play. Plus, source says Simmons requested a trade in Chicago ‘right after’ end of the 2020-21 season in late June (for subscribers): bit.ly/3kxb2gD pic.twitter.com/PF4fh6h1ei – 9:00 PM

Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
🏀 HABERSHOW w/@Amin Elhassan 🏀
Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) hops on to talk the TWolves stunner and the Ben Simmons holdout. Jamal then crushes trivia about his career and drops a zillion untold stories along the way.
🍎: apple.co/3zzl6dx
✳️: spoti.fi/3EFM2Mi pic.twitter.com/1nBqI8nXK3 – 8:49 PM

Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
The NBA is fining Warriors owner Joe Lacob $50K for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule regarding his comments about Ben Simmons. warriorswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/22/nba… – 7:51 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Warriors owner Joe Lacob fined $50,000 by NBA for tampering after downplaying possible Ben Simmons trade
cbssports.com/nba/news/warri… – 6:14 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
The NBA says it has fined Golden State Warriors Governor Joe Lacob $50,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule.  The fine is in response to comments by Lacob in a September 21 news article regarding the Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons. – 5:54 PM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
The NBA announced today that it has fined Golden State Warriors Governor Joe Lacob $50,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule. The fine is in response to comments by Lacob in a September 21 news article regarding the Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons. – 5:53 PM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
#NBA announces that #Warriors owner Joe Lacob has been fined $50,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule by making comments regarding Ben Simmons #Sixers – 5:52 PM
Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
NBA fines Warriors owner Joe Laconia $50,000 for “for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule. The fine is in response to comments by Lacob in a September 21 news article regarding the Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons.” – 5:48 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The NBA announced it has fined Joe Lacob $50,000 for his comments about Ben Simmons earlier this week. – 5:47 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Warriors owner Joe Lacob was fined $50,000 for talking about Ben Simmons and violating the league’s anti-tampering policy, NBA says – 5:46 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Warriors owner Joe Lacob has been fined $50,000 for violating anti-tampering rule regarding comments on 76ers’ Ben Simmons. – 5:46 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Joe Lacob was just fined $50,000 by the NBA for his comments about Ben Simmons. – 5:46 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: Source: #Sixers planning to hold onto Ben Simmons, try to convince him to report to camp and play; Simmons requested trade ‘right after’ end of 2020-21 season (for subscribers): bit.ly/3kxb2gD #76ers pic.twitter.com/PCAT3dpCkt – 5:00 PM

Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Multiple reports say Ben Simmons won’t play for the 76ers again.
@Frank Isola tells @Brian Scalabrine this shows “The Process” didn’t work in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/tuh8moIxYu – 4:30 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Like everyone else, I’m watching the Ben Simmons situation.
Craziness, but it made me think back to the first saw him play in person when he was at LSU.
To go from that confident kid on his way to being the top pick to now not reporting to 76ers training camp?
Craziness. pic.twitter.com/W4SkeDyFH4 – 4:29 PM

The Jump @_Talkin_NBA
If you were Ben Simmons, would you sit out a season until you are traded to your desired destination?
#NBATwitter – 3:53 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Kinda feels like A-Rod wanted Ben Simmons at any cost and Gersson disagreed – 3:40 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA source: The #Sixers‘ goal isn’t to increase Ben Simmons’ trade value by him reporting but for Simmons to come back and play this season. Also, Simmons and agent Rich Paul initially asked for a trade in Chicago “right after” the 2020-21 season ended. – 2:11 PM
Chris Broussard @Chris_Broussard
Will Aaron Rodgers repeat as MVP? Should the Sixers wait to trade Ben Simmons? Why do the Patriots get a pass for cheating? & more! Guests: @EphraimSalaam @RandyMueller_ @martinweiss
Catch us live weeknights 7-10p ET on @FoxSportsRadio & @iHeartRadio podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… – 1:59 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
You’re telling on yourself if you think John Wall for Ben Simmons is a realistic trade framework – 12:49 PM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Doc Rivers hopes to convince Ben Simmons to stay
sportando.basketball/en/doc-rivers-… – 12:46 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Doc Rivers on Ben Simmons: “We want him back.” That’s not happening. nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/22/doc… – 12:40 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Doc Rivers says 76ers want Ben Simmons to remain in Philadelphia: ‘We would love to get Ben back’
cbssports.com/nba/news/doc-r… – 12:35 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
New: With Ben Simmons’ holdout looming, I looked at the possibility of the #Celtics taking part in Simmons trade talks as a facilitating third team: masslive.com/celtics/2021/0… – 12:29 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
As I have for months now, I want to see Ben Simmons somehow land on Minnesota with Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards all there too. It’s the best fit for Simmons and that team becomes really, really interesting with Simmons in the fold. – 11:47 AM

More on this storyline

 

Darren Wolfson: (Gupta) is going to work his ass off to try to acquire Ben Simmons and he has full authority to do so. Glen Taylor, Marc Lore, Alex Rodriguez… Trust me, they’ve given him the green light -via Spotify / September 25, 2021
According to sources, the 76ers would want limited or no protections on those firsts in hopes of flipping them for an All-Star caliber player around the deadline. That, alone, would be incredibly risky for Cleveland — a still-rebuilding team that’s won 60 combined games over the last three years and is only projected to win around 26 this season. Even the addition of Simmons wouldn’t change the 2021-22 forecast that much, as the Cavs wouldn’t have enough short-term floor-spacers or shooters around the limited Simmons. Any deal would mean rejiggering the roster quite a bit. -via Cleveland Plain Dealer / September 25, 2021
Because Gupta has been elevated from inside the organization, it is conceivable that the Wolves can move right along and continue their talks with the Sixers without much of a diversion. Gupta and Morey worked together for years in Houston so there is background there, and sources say Gupta was involved in some of the talks with the Sixers earlier this summer before the conflict with Rosas reached its head. -via The Athletic / September 25, 2021

 

NBA denies Andrew Wiggins’ request for religious exemption from COVID-19 vaccine

Kurt Helin: The NBA has chosen to deny Andrew Wiggins request for a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination. That means Wiggins will not be able to play in Warriors home games until he is vaccinated. Source: Twitter @basketballtalk What’s …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
The NBA has chosen to deny Andrew Wiggins request for a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination. That means Wiggins will not be able to play in Warriors home games until he is vaccinated. – 7:48 PM
Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Inbox: The NBA has reviewed and denied Andrew Wiggins’ religious exemption request to avoid vaccination. “Wiggins will not be able to play in Warriors home games until he fulfills the city’s vaccination requirements.” – 7:48 PM
Sean Highkin @highkin
Got the email about Andrew Wiggins skipping the Guetta concert for the Clapton concert – 7:47 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
NBA denies Andrew Wiggins’ religious exemption request to avoid vaccination. – 7:47 PM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
Before the start of training camp, Andrew Wiggins got in a workout with fellow NBA players Aaron Gordon, Justise Winslow and Jalen Johnson. warriorswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/23/wat… – 1:00 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Unvaccinated Andrew Wiggins reportedly restricted to individual workouts nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/24/unv… – 7:45 AM
Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
Sources: Andrew Wiggins has been in the Bay Area this month but is restricted to individual sessions at Chase Center. Under current SF protocols, if he isn’t fully vaccinated over next 20 days, those workouts will end. – 7:52 PM
David Locke @DLocke09
Reports: Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins still unvaccinated, could be ineligible for home games wkyc.com/article/sports… via @wkyc – 5:00 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Report: Despite requirement for Warriors home games, Andrew Wiggins still not vaccinated nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/23/rep… – 8:03 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Andrew Wiggins unmoved in his decision against vaccination, will get a religious exemption? sportando.basketball/en/andrew-wigg… – 3:17 AM
The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Report: Warriors are worried Andrew Wiggins will miss time because he refuses to get vaccinated.
➡️ yhoo.it/3u5Cvcz pic.twitter.com/Ki1oKupcdV – 11:20 PM

Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
ICYMI: If Wiggins is not fully vaccinated by Oct. 13, Warriors could have home-court DISadvantage due to San Francisco COVID protocols. nbcsports.com/bayarea/warrio… – 10:40 PM
Sean Highkin @highkin
Wiggins still not going to the David Guetta concert is concerning for the Warriors… – 10:40 PM
Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
I have a hard time believing that Ben Simmons will NOT be traded before training camp opens. The way I see it, deal to #Rockets for John Wall or to #Warriors for Andrew Wiggins most likely. #Sixers may be forced to include Tyrese Maxey, a Rich Paul client. Houston has extra picks – 5:40 AM

More on this storyline

Sean Cunningham: Andrew Wiggins request for religious exemption from COVID-19 vaccination denied by the NBA. League statement below. pic.twitter.com/kXFGXiS8hy -via Twitter @SeanCunningham / September 24, 2021