Ben Simmons is making a comeback to the NBA after sitting out last season with injuries, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings.
A person familiar with the deal confirmed to The ***** ociated Press that he will sign with Sacramento. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been announced.
ESPN first reported the move and said Simmons would be paid $3.5 million.
The 30-year-old from Australia is a former No. 1 draft pick, three-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year, but he has struggled to perform and stay healthy in recent years. He sat out last season while dealing with back and leg injuries after ending the 2024-25 season in a reserve role for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sacramento is coming off a 22-60 season and is trying to rebuild around rookie Darius Acuff Jr., who was picked seventh in the draft after a stellar freshman season at Arkansas. The Kings were looking for veteran help after waiving DeMar DeRozan and deciding not to bring back Russell Westbrook. Those two scored the most points last season for Sacramento.

#season #sacramento #deal

In the past couple of months of the NBA offseason, we have seen teams fall out of championship contention, and others rise into the conversation. In an offseason highlighted by multiple blockbuster deals and a superteam formed in Philadelphia, the majority of the big moves had already been made. Yet, there were still a few All-Stars to be claimed.
For the most part, NBA fans had an idea of who the contenders were going to be this season. That was until Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan each found new homes for the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season.
MORE: 3 NBA teams that are overrated heading into the 2026-2027 season
Mar 30, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) looks on from the bench during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Heat made news that shook the NBA world earlier this offseason, trading draft capital and young talent for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. This immediately put the Heat into contention, yet they had no significant talent outside of their frontcourt duo of Giannis and Bam Adebayo.

#thompson #giannis

Miami, Detroit and Cleveland were the other suitors DeRozan concentrated on throughout his free agency process, the source said. He ultimately was most impressed by Denver's recruiting effort, which convinced him to make a decision based on fit rather than money.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: He ultimately was most impressed by Denver's …

#impressed #Miami #detroit #derozan

The Nuggets have been monitoring DeRozan's situation in Sacramento dating back to February, when they were prepared to pursue him on the buyout market if the Kings had released him then, league sources told The Post. When he became a free agent this summer, Denver put together a sustained recruitment that involved players, coaches and executives, one source close to DeRozan said. Aaron Gordon and **** istant coach Jared Dudley were two of the key individuals with prior relationships to DeRozan who spoke with him in recent weeks.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Nuggets have been tracking DeMar DeRozan since February

#derozan

DENVER (AP) — DeMar DeRozan has agreed to sign a one-year contract with the Denver Nuggets worth the veteran minimum of $3.9 million, a person with knowledge of the deal said Friday.
It will be DeRozan's fifth team in his 18th season for a six-time All-Star looking for his first championship. The person spoke to The **** ociated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement hasn't been announced.
The addition of DeRozan gives the Nuggets a veteran backcourt presence after sending young, versatile wing Peyton Watson to Cleveland as part of a four-team trade. The 23-year-old Watson started a career-high 40 games last season and averaged career bests in points (14.6), rebounds (4.9) and **** ists (2.1).
DeRozan, the ninth overall pick by Toronto in 2009, spent his first nine seasons with the Raptors, only to get traded to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard as his former team won the **** le in Leonard's only season in 2018-19.
The 37-year-old DeRozan spent three seasons with the Spurs and three with Chicago before joining Sacramento the past two seasons. He was part of sign-and-trade deals in the moves to the Bulls and Kings.

#year #team #watson

The 2025-26 NBA season proved to be quite disappointing for the Denver Nuggets in a tight Western Conference, and the franchise is aiming to battle back with the addition of DeMar DeRozan.
The six-time NBA All-Star reportedly is signing with the Nuggets before the 2026-27 campaign, per ESPN insider Shams Charania. DeRozan joins Nikola Jokic and Denver after spending last year with the Sacramento Kings.
Meanwhile, DeRozan now has an opportunity to join a talented roster looking to restore success in the West. This marks the NBA veteran's fifth stop in the league starting his career with the Toronto Raptors in 2009.
DeRozan, a former college basketball star at USC, is entering his 18th NBA season. However, he's still shown an elite ability to contribute and that's a major win for the Nuggets heading into next year.
MORE: Projecting the 2026 Miami Heat starting lineup after Klay Thompson signing

#denver #western #conference

Free agent froward DeMar DeRozan reportedly has his sights set on his next home. DeRozan plans to sign with the Denver Nuggets, per NBA insider Chris Haynes.
DeRozan has spent the past two season with the Sacramento Kings.
This story will be updated.

#derozan #denver #nuggets #agent

Heat predicted to sign $305M future Hall of Famer to make life easy for Giannis Antetokounmpo originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat made one of the biggest moves of the offseason by trading for former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Still, Miami is looking to add more talent to the roster and become an even bigger threat to contend for a championship.
The Heat are looking forward to the upcoming season, but they would like to add more reinforcements. Miami has been linked to three major names throughout the summer.
"Because of the Heat working this season under a hard cap created by the machinations required for the Antetokounmpo acquisition, a deliberate approach is required for the final two standard roster spots. Among those reportedly being considered by the Heat for those two roster spots are Bradley Beal, DeMar DeRozan and Klay Thompson, should he become available from the Dallas Mavericks by trade or with a buyout," Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman wrote.
The Los Angeles Clippers re-signed Bradley Beal to a new deal on Thursday, taking him out of the equation for Miami. The Heat also do not appear interested in giving up significant ******* ets to acquire Klay Thompson.

#giannis #bradley #beal

Celtics Named Best Fit for 6-Time All-Star Who Ranks 16th on NBA's All-Time Scoring List originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Should the Boston Celtics pursue DeMar DeRozan?
The six-time All-Star is an unrestricted free agent after being waived by the Sacramento Kings. Bleacher Report's Dan Favale ranked DeRozan, 37, as the best free agent currently available and included the Celtics as one of his best fits.
Favale mentioned the Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz and Miami Heat as other possible landing spots for DeRozan.
"DeRozan has missed 13 combined games over the past three seasons and racked up more than 10 DNPs just twice for his entire career," wrote Favale. "The absence of meaningful three-point volume works against him, but he's averaged over 20 points per 36 minutes on better than 50 percent shooting inside the arc through each of the past seven seasons. Nikola Jokić, De'Aaron Fox and Jaylen Brown are the only other players who have done the same while qualifying for the scoring leaderboard.

#best #nesn

Q: Ira, I remember we used the Duncan Robinson trade exception to take in Bobby Portis Jr. Are there any plans to use the Haywood Highsmith trade exception before that expires? – Dan.
A: For those unaware, the Heat hold a $5.6 million trade exception from last summer's salary dump of Haywood Highsmith to the Nets, an exception that expires on Aug. 17. The reality is that because the Heat are hard-capped by virtue of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, they have more exception money at the moment than they can use, now just about $10 million below that hard cap. In addition to the Highsmith trade exception, the Heat have almost $9 million remaining from their mid-level exception and the $5.5 million bi-annual exception. Plus, they can sign players to the veteran minimum without regard to exception money. Worth noting, however, is that exceptions cannot be aggregated. The Heat have multiple means to spend, just not much in total to spend.
Submit your "Ask Ira" question here!
Q: Ira, there is all kinds of stuff all over the internet concerning a three-way trade involving Nikola Jovic, Klay Thompson and a third player. I know I shouldn't believe the internet, but if something like that did happen, would the Heat still be able to add DeMar DeRozan or someone similar? – Rich, Plantation.
A: Yes. In fact, currently at 12 players under standard contract, the Heat, by NBA rule, have to add at least two more players under standard contract (they can, in fact, add three, with the regular-season roster limit of 15 players under standard deals).

#players #expires

When it comes to the rumblings that are continued around Peyton Watson, Jonathan ***** inga, what are you hearing and how likely is it that the Cavs make a move that could get them both of these players? Chris Fedor: Yeah, I think both of them is highly unlikely. Again, on this podcast, we never say never and we try and deal in reality as much as we possibly can. Getting one of them is going to be hard enough given the salary cap situation that the Cavs are currently in, given the lack of perceived trade ***** ets and given the salary cap situation of some of These other teams that we're talking about here. So for example, you've got the Atlanta Hawks who have said to teams around the NBA it looked we're willing to help out Jonathan ***** inga in a potential sign and trade, but we need to be incentivized in order to do that. We've got to get something back in return that we actually like. And that's part of the holdup, it feels like, between the Hawks and the Los Angeles Lakers, because there are people around the NBA that are saying to themselves, what are the Lakers going to give the Hawks that the Hawks value enough or that the Hawks actually want? The hawks already have 17 guys under contract, so they have some things that they have to do internally.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
The Cavs, sources say, have been in touch with ***** inga's representatives throughout the week, trying to determine whether there is a realistic financial pathway to a deal and what it would cost — both in salary and roster subtractions. With the Cavaliers' current cap situation, any sign-and-trade would create a hard cap at the first apron. — 7/31/2026 Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sources say the 23-year-old ***** inga wants an annual deal in the $15-20 million range, which would necessitate a sign-and-trade with Atlanta involving either swingman Max Strus or Dennis Schroder. The Hawks, already with 17 players on the roster and incredibly close to the luxury tax, would have to cooperate — and actually want what Cleveland, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers or Milwaukee Bucks are willing to offer in a sign-and-trade. — 7/31/2026 Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sources say the Cavs have expressed interest in free agents DeMar DeRozan, Peyton Watson and Jonathan ***** inga. DeRozan, the 17-year NBA veteran, was waived by Sacramento a little more than three weeks ago and has been viewed leaguewide as a possible low-cost target for any team that missed on LeBron. There's an argument that DeRozan is the best available free agent. — 7/31/2026 Cleveland Plain Dealer

#trade

Heat reportedly warned against signing Stephen Curry's ex-teammates originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat traded Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware and three first-round picks to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks in June, giving them one of the three best players in the world. That deal changed the franchise's ceiling. What it did not resolve was the roster around Antetokounmpo.
Several experienced names have since entered Miami's free agency discussions, including Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, D'Angelo Russell and Nick Richards. One anonymous NBA scout evaluated all six this week, and his **** sments landed in very different places depending on the player.
The scout speaking anonymously to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel was asked to **** s Miami's full list of veteran targets. They highlighted why many of these players come with major risks.
Thompson, one of Curry's most decorated Warriors teammates, drew a notably measured take. The 36-year-old averaged career lows of 11.7 points and shot 39.3 percent from the field in his one season with the Dallas Mavericks. He has one year left on his contract at approximately $17.5 million and remains a buyout candidate.

#heat #antetokounmpo #russell #thompson

Sources say the Cavs have expressed interest in free agents DeMar DeRozan, Peyton Watson and Jonathan ****** inga. DeRozan, the 17-year NBA veteran, was waived by Sacramento a little more than three weeks ago and has been viewed leaguewide as a possible low-cost target for any team that missed on LeBron. There's an argument that DeRozan is the best available free agent.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: DeMar DeRozan on Cavs' radar

#peyton #watson #jonathan #kuminga

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 07: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings points back towards the bench during the second half of their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center on March 07, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 13: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks walks backcourt during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Center on March 13, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Getty
The Miami Heat has been frequently linked to free agent star DeMar DeRozan this offseason. With the Heat missing out on LeBron James, who chose the rival Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, DeRozan, 36, has become one of top fallback options for Miami.
DeRozan has been a free agent since being let go by the Sacramento Kings earlier this month. A six-time All-Star, DeRozan is widely expected to land a hopeful championship-contending team.
Meanwhile, the Heat is also keeping tabs on fellow free agent star Bradley Beal, who is coming off one unceremonious season with the Los Angeles Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks star Klay Thompson, who has emerged as Miami's highest priority target. The Heat's interest in Thompson may be slowing down its pursuit of DeRozan.

#derozan #getty #star #heat

Celtics Named Top Landing Spot for NBA's 18th All-Time Leading Scorer originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Celtics could still improve their roster before the 2026-27 NBA season arrives.
One name has been connected to Boston in free agency: DeMar DeRozan.
The NBA's No. 18 scorer on the all-time list was cut earlier this offseason by the Sacramento Kings, which can allow DeRozan to land with a contender as his career winds down.
DeRozan can still put the ball in the basket. Last season, he averaged 18.4 points per game for the Kings, and in his career, he has averaged 21.1 points per game.

#kings #time #Career

Unsurprisingly, the Cleveland Cavaliers need to add another forward to the roster in the wake of LeBron James going to the Philadelphia 76ers. It seems that the signing of Mario Hezonja is not the only transaction the Cavaliers are pursuing.
In a segment on NBA Today, ESPN's Shams Charania noted that "DeMar DeRozan has interest from Cleveland". Charania also mentioned that "Miami, Denver and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan".
The Sacramento Kings bought out DeRozan earlier this month. DeRozan will turn 37 by the time the season tips off in October. Age hasn't hindered his ability to be a microwave scorer and availability averaging 18.4 points while shooting 49.7% from the field in the 77 games played this past season.
The Cavaliers clearly need wing talent after Dean Wade signed with the 76ers and Keon Ellis signed with the Brooklyn Nets. DeRozan projects as a more awkward fit for Cleveland's roster given that he has been the primary scoring option for the majority of his career. The unknown of how he will find his spots on a team with the ball primarily in James Harden and Donovan Mitchell is yet to be seen.
A clear benefit for the Cavaliers in a DeRozan addition would be the pressure to the rim DeRozan provides, as well as being a sufficient scorer without support. The warts of the acquisition would be that DeRozan has never established a consistent outside shot.

#derozan #james #need #season

Heat Central: The Miami Heat will shift their focus to DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, and Klay Thompson after missing out on LeBron James, per ShamsCharania "They had a very compelling pitch…. Now they'll shift their focus to players like DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, and could you find a player like Klay Thompson on the buyout market"
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "They had a very compelling pitch…. Now they'll shift …

#klay #thompson #compelling

Warriors predicted to sign $73M 17-year veteran, 6-time All-Star as LeBron James decision looms originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The LeBron James free agency frenzy appears to be nearing its end, with a decision expected very soon. Multiple teams remain in the running for the four-time NBA champion.
The Los Angeles Lakers moved on quickly after James informed the organization he would not return for a ninth season. Now, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors appear to be the favorites.
“I would be stunned if he picked a team that wasn’t Golden State or Cleveland,” a Western Conference executive told FOS’ Alex Schiffer.
The Warriors have pulled out all the stops in their pursuit of James this offseason, but his decision is still pending. Golden State could make one final move to strengthen its case by signing veteran forward DeMar DeRozan to bolster the bench.

SiriusXM NBA Radio: ‘He's ours, we're happy to have him. I know Trajan Langdon is excited, JB Bickerstaff loves him. He's ours and hopefully, we get things worked out.’ Pistons advisor Dwane Casey discusses Jalen Duren’s playoff struggles and how Detroit’s front office is feeling as both sides have yet to come to an extension
x.com
Keith Smith: Factoring in the reported contracts for John Collins, Kevin Huerter & Javonte Green and the Gary Harris/Taurean Prince acquisitions, I've got the Pistons at about $42.8M under the luxury tax. That's enough room to give Jalen Duren a 25% of the cap max without going into the tax. — 7/7/2026 x.com
The primary reason the Lakers likely chose Kessler over offering a max deal to Detroit Pistons restricted free agent Jalen Duren is that Kessler is one of the NBA’s best rim protectors. He’s the kind of interior presence a team needs if it’s going to employ Dončić and Reaves on the perimeter as primary playmakers. In 2024-25, Kessler’s last full(ish) season, he contested 7.5 shots per game at the rim, according to NBA.com, which tied for the fifth-most in the league. On those shots, he allowed opponents to shoot just 54.8 percent. Among the 16 players in the league to contest at least six shots per game that season, that percentage ranked third behind only Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, who were the top two finalists for Defensive Player of the Year this season. In the three full seasons he has played, Kessler has blocked at least 2.3 shots per game. — 7/2/2026 New York Times
The Pistons have maintained their stance that they’re not interested in sign-and-trade scenarios for Jalen Duren and will continue to try to bridge the gap between both sides and get a deal done. Duren and Domantas Sabonis share the same agency, The Team. With Sabonis, 30, naturally looking to compete in the prime of his career instead of beginning a rebuild, and the Kings exploring the trade market for Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, it’s easy to see why this Duren sign-and-trade scenario would appeal to Sacramento. On paper, however, going from the 22-year-old Duren to the 30-year-old Sabonis, who’s owed $94.08 million over the next two years, isn’t prudent for Detroit. — 7/2/2026 HoopsHype

While the NBA free-agency circuit has quieted down, DeMar DeRozan remains one of multiple high-profile players still on the open market after being waived by the Sacramento Kings last week.
The six-time All-Star wing's next move is reportedly heavily tied to the biggest domino yet to fall, LeBron James, with numerous contenders viewing him as a quality consolation prize. DeRozan has also been linked to one of his former teams, the Toronto Raptors, with his ex-coach Dwane Casey among those most hopeful to see a reunion.
Upon being selected No. 9 by Toronto in the 2009 NBA Draft, DeRozan helped elevate the franchise from an Eastern Conference bottom-feeder into a perennial playoff team. He developed from an athletic wing prospect into one of the league's premier midrange **** assins, leading the Raptors to five straight postseason appearances alongside Kyle Lowry, with Casey on the sidelines.
Unfortunately for DeRozan, his Toronto squads repeatedly couldn't get over the hump and into the NBA Finals, suffering three straight exits against the James-led Cleveland Cavaliers before his 2018 trade to the San Antonio Spurs, just over two months after Casey's firing.
Eight years later, DeRozan could have an opportunity to return north of the border, with NBA insider Jake Fischer reporting on the 36-year-old's "interest" in such a move amid connections to multiple James suitors.

While DeRozan is interested in reuniting with the Raptors, NBA insider Jake Fischer revealed that the former NBA star might likely join teams that will fail to land James in this year's free agency. “He’s almost certainly going to be on a vet minimum somewhere else. Could it be Toronto? ... DeMar has interest in going back to the Raptors, but I think DeMar’s most likely landing spots are going to be teams that don’t get LeBron James," Fischer revealed on Bleacher Report. “I think the Miamis, Cleveland, Golden State, I think those teams are all going to be in the play for him if they don’t get LeBron.”
BasketNews
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: DeMar DeRozan interested in going back to Raptors?

The Los Angeles Lakers have a big hole at the starting wing or forward position, and they need plenty of help there if they are to become championship contenders, especially with LeBron James gone.
They have reportedly been focusing on Jonathan ******* inga, but on Monday, a new wing hit the market.
DeMar DeRozan, a 17-year NBA veteran who is still playing at a high level at age 36, is being waived by the Sacramento Kings, per Shams Charania of ESPN. He averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 ******* ists a game while shooting 49.7% from the field this past season for a Kings team that went 22-60.
Instantly, some Lakers fans wondered if he could be an option for the Purple and Gold. But according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, that is unlikely to happen.
Back in 2021, the Lakers reportedly had genuine interest in DeRozan, who is originally from Compton and played his college basketball at the University of Southern California. But they instead made their infamous trade for Russell Westbrook that summer.

Barry Jackson: There has been no contact yet between DeRozan camp and Heat, per source just now. Miami would be among teams of interest to DeRozan, who is being set free by the Kings. Miami's options now include - among others - DeRozan, Beal, Gary Trent. Or the Heat simply could wait on LeBron decision before deciding what wing player to pursue. I expect Heat to try to add another wing; tough call is whether to pounce on one of these players or wait to see if a surprise name shakes free. Mavs -- trying to be playoff contender- don't need to buyout Klay, obvously. And if Kings use waive and stretch on DeRozan (reported to be likely path), they do not necessarily need to do that with Zach LaVine.
x.com
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: DeMar DeRozan interested in Miami?

Coming off a season that ended with a seven-game first-round loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors made arguably the biggest splash of the early NBA offseason.
Toronto landed Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers on June 30, sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey ***** , two second-round picks, a 2027 pick swap and unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033 to LA. Leonard, 35, sees Toronto as his final NBA stop after winning a ***** le there in 2019.
The trade also revived talk of another homecoming. DeMar DeRozan, whose 13,296 points top the franchise scoring list ahead of Kyle Lowry’s 10,540, was the man Toronto gave up to get Leonard the first time.
DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings could soon finalize a buyout, a resolution that would free the 36-year-old to sign anywhere as a free agent.
Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reported Wednesday that DeRozan hoped to accelerate his exit and that he and rival executives expected the Kings to waive him. He is entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed in 2024.

The Sacramento Kings are beginning a youth movement, with the franchise set to be led by point guard Darius Acuff Jr. in the years to come. With the organization’s goals shifting, it appears one All-Star won’t be on the roster in a matter of days.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported for The Stein Line this weekend that the Kings are expected to reach a buyout agreement with All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan in the coming days, allowing him to become a free agent.
Related: SAC Kings Eyeing Free Agent Targeted By Multiple Teams
DeMar DeRozan stats (2025-26): 18.4 PPG, 4.1 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 32% 3PT, 49.7% FG, .112 Win Shares per 48 Minutes
DeRozan, who is coming off his age-36 season and turns 37 years old in August, signed a three-year deal worth $76 million with Sacramento in the summer of 2024. Brought in to be a complementary scorer, the team never made the playoffs with him on the roster.

Kings wing DeMar DeRozan, who is owed $25 million for the upcoming season — with only $10 million guaranteed — is hoping to accelerate his exit, either by being waived and testing the open market or being traded sooner rather than later, sources say. The 37-year-old is expecting to be waived and stretched by the franchise, a similar sentiment shared by rival executives, sources say. Late last month, HoopsHype reported on Sacramento's and DeRozan's looming divorce.
Yahoo! Sports
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Kings wing DeMar DeRozan, who is owed $25 million for …

It took six years.
To get here, it took whiffing on Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant (twice), Kyrie Irving (twice), James Harden, Bradley Beal (twice), Chris Paul, DeMar DeRozan and, yes, even Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Yet, with a midnight blockbuster Monday, June 22 that ships Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, team president Pat Riley proved, once again, that he can deliver a hoops wonder to Bayside. And with that, he appeased a fan base that had started to grumble and wonder if it was time for him to step down. Now, the hard work begins.
Make no mistake: this move triggers immense pressure. With Antetokounmpo in the fold, the expectation becomes that Miami is to compete for championships.
There’s precedent for that, too.

It's time for the Kings to pull the plug! Trade destinations for Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan

Following a 41-point loss to *checks notes* the Memphis Grizzlies with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. in street clothes, it may be time to pull the plug on the 3-13 Sacramento Kings.
They’re one of three teams (Washington, New Orleans) that rank as a bottom-five offense and defense, per Cleaning the Glass. Only the Wizards (minus-15.7) have a worse non-garbage time point differential than these Kings (minus-14).
There’s context to add — they’ve been implementing new pieces, pa