Ben Simmons has added another name to the Warriors’ offseason frustration file.
The former Philadelphia 76ers star agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings on Friday, passing on what was believed to be a training camp invitation from Golden State. The Warriors had interest in Simmons, but he chose the guaranteed money and a clearer path to a roster spot.
That part is easy to understand. In Golden State, Simmons would have had to fight for a place on the main roster and outplay the likes of Brandon Williams, Dalen Terry and others while Mike Dunleavy Jr. works through the final training camp decisions over the next few weeks. A guaranteed contract with Sacramento removes that uncertainty.
Still, from the Warriors’ side, it’s another swing that didn’t connect.
Losing out to the Kings makes it sting a little more, even if Sacramento may have offered Simmons the chance to carve out a real role on a rebuilding team. But that rebuilding label matters.
With or without Simmons, the Kings are expected to be a bottom-five team in the Western Conference and more likely a bottom-three one. Golden State, on the other hand, is trying to get back to the playoffs after what was described as an underwhelming offseason.
For Simmons, the appeal of joining Stephen Curry and the Warriors would have been obvious if the goal is to rebuild value and reputation. That kind of spotlight matters more than being “off broadway on an irrelevant Sacramento team.”
And this wasn’t a case of a 30-year-old simply buying time on a young roster, either. If Simmons wants to make playoff impact before his career ends, the source of the interest matters. The reporting notes he would have been better off with the reigning champion New York Knicks or the Minnesota Timberwolves, both of whom reportedly also had interest.
His decision also slots into a broader trend for Golden State. The Warriors have spent recent years getting turned down by players they liked, and that list has grown again.
Before the February trade deadline, Golden State had interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard. This offseason, the Warriors pursued LeBron James, Anfernee Simons and Rui Hachimura as free agents, but didn’t land any of them. Antetokounmpo and Leonard were not really realistic this summer, according to the report, because Antetokounmpo wanted the Miami Heat and Leonard wanted the Toronto Raptors.
Now Simmons joins the list.
He may not end up moving the needle as much as the other names Golden State chased, but his choice still says something about where the Warriors are right now. And for Simmons, the Kings will be the place to watch to see whether he can get his career pointed back in the right direction.
In Other News...
Stephen Curry Still Gives Warriors One Edge Rivals Can't Solve
The latest reminder of Stephen Currys unique burden on defenses came from an unlikely place, with Knicks guard Deuce McBride breaking down what it takes just to stay attached to him. McBrides read was simple enough: Curry is a nightmare because he keeps moving, makes the right play over and over, and can hurt a defense in more ways than one, whether he is handling, relocating or working off the ball.
What stood out even more was McBrides description of Currys strength and balance when defenders try to crowd him, a trait that does not always match the way he looks on the court. For the Warriors, it is another window into why Curry still creates an edge opponents cannot fully scheme away, even as his recent injury issues make it likely Golden State will have to be careful with his workload in the season ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Face An Early Test That Could Shape Their Whole Season
The Warriors are heading into the kind of opening stretch that can quietly define a season. With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody expected to be out early, Golden State faces the familiar pressure of keeping itself afloat while key rotation pieces are unavailable, and Steve Kerr has made clear that the teams first job is simply to stay competitive until the roster is whole again.
How the Warriors handle those early weeks may matter well beyond the standings. A steady start would buy time and preserve options, while a stumble could push the front office toward harder choices about whether to lean into the present or keep an eye on the future when free agency comes back into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Yaxel Lendeborg Is Suddenly In The Middle Of A Warriors Camp Battle
Yaxel Lendeborg has gone from Summer League standout to a real topic in Golden States training camp conversation, and that is not a bad place for a rookie to land. Steve Kerr has already floated the idea that Lendeborg could be in the mix for a starting forward role this season, a notable nod for a player whose strong play in Vegas helped turn heads and gave the Warriors another young piece to consider as they sort through their roster.
The fit is what makes it interesting. Golden State is still working through rotations and roles as camp and preseason unfold, and Lendeborgs game appears to line up with what the staff wants from a modern wing on this roster. For now, the bigger question is not whether he belongs in the picture, but where exactly he belongs when the Warriors start putting their best lineup combinations on the floor. [Read more 🡒]