The NBA season is now officially underway, but there is still plenty of off-court buzz going around the league - including a few notable trade rumors floating around and some teams already looking forward to free agency. Here are the latest NBA rumors you need to know:
No timetable for Simmons' return
Philadelphia 76ers rookie forward Ben Simmons suffered a broken foot on the last day of training camp, and he was originally expected to only miss three months. However, after speculation from his agent that he might miss the entire season - or at least be out longer than expected. According to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, there is currently no timetable for Simmons' return, but he does plan to play this season:
Ben Simmons watched the 76ers open their 2016-17 campaign without him. But the No. 1 overall pick hopes to make his NBA debut later this season.
While saying there is no timetable for a return from surgery to repair an acute Jones fracture in his right foot, Simmons insisted there has been no talk about shutting it down for his entire rookie season.
"No," Simmons said flatly, when asked if anyone has advised him to sit out the season to let his foot recover. "There's a lot of talk; somebody put that out there. But I will come back when I am ready.
"There is no timetable on getting healthy. I am working every day to get back. As soon as they tell me I can play, I will be out there."
Simmons, the No. 1 pick in the draft, averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game at LSU last season.
Lakers targeting Westbrook, George in 2018
The Los Angeles Lakers have struck out in free agency each of the last several offseasons, forcing them to hold firm with their current young core of players. However, they are already planning on trying to make a splash in 2018 free agency by going after both Russell Westbrook and Paul George, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical:
Commissioner Adam Silver was watching courtside at Staples, fully aware of this unmistakable NBA truth: The league is always stronger, always more vibrant and relevant, when the Los Angeles Lakers matter. Now, they have two years to develop this young core of Russell and Randle, Ingram and Clarkson, for the free-agent class of 2018.
In two years, two sons of Southern California – Indiana’s Paul George and Oklahoma City’s Westbrook – can become free agents and consider coming home. In their recent state of disrepair, the Lakers have been fully unappealing to superstar free agents. Kevin Durant wouldn’t take a meeting with them. The Lakers called the reps of Memphis’ Mike Conley on July 1, only to be told they wouldn’t be seriously considered. Miami center Hassan Whiteside passed, too.
The Lakers won their season opener on Wednesday night, beating the Houston Rockets, 120-114.
Allen out for a week
Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen will be out for a week with a knee injury, reports ESPN's Tim MacMahon:
Grizzlies shooting guard Tony Allen is likely to miss a week. The swelling in his knee is gone, but he's working to regain full strength and explosiveness.
Allen didn't play at all during the preseason due to knee soreness. He averaged 8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season.
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