Free agency has settled down -- unless you're a restricted free agent trapped in market-capped hell -- and Summer League has wrapped up in Vegas.
But that doesn't mean the NBA rumor mill comes to a stop, far from it. There are still moves to be made and teams will look for opportunities to improve in the doldrums of August even as executives head out for their lavish vacations.
With that in mind, here's a look at the latest rumors and what you need to know.
Ben Simmons could be just with the Celtics' defense needs
Hall of Famer Marc Stein reports that the Boston Celtics are among the teams with interest in former Clipper/Net/Sixer Ben Simmons:
"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."
If Simmons were to become part of a contending core with the Celtics, especially next season when Jayson Tatum returns from injury, it would be yet another in a long series of daggers in the hearts of Sixers fans.
Speaking of Tatum, without him the Celtics are maybe most at a loss for his defense on the wing.
They won't be able to replicate his 28-30 points per game standard easily, but with Jaylen Brown and Derrick White taking a step forward along with Anfernee Simons (if they don't trade him before the season), they can probably approximate.
However, Tatum’s size and versatility in switching are more difficult to replicate, and Simmons is an excellent substitute there.
The problem is that he doesn’t really fit their scheme offensively with their three-point volume. Boston punishes teams by driving and kicking. He’s not a pick and roll big like Luke Kornet was, and so adding him adds a non-shooter that teams can help off of, which disrupts their identity. If they sign Simmons, does that signal they’re moving towards a different approach than last year’s “threes and that’s it” identity?
Phoenix enters the Jonathan Kuminga group chat
When you're down as bad as the Suns are after the dismantling of the Big 3 era, you need to take risks. Jonathan Kuminga represents a great combination of upside and risk for a team looking to reshape the team back into contention around Devin Booker. From the Arizona Republic:
"The Suns have interest in Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, league sources confirmed to The Republic, but are unlikely to land him because they lack the draft capital and assets to deliver in what would be a sign-and-trade for the Warriors."
The Suns are smart to try and sneak into this deal. Kuminga will likely be overpaid relative to his production, but the Suns are trying to reshape their roster with an unbalanced construct of centers and shooting guards.
Kuminga is a downhill, north-south player, which doesn't fit with Steph Curry who the Warriors have decided to prioritize until he reaches the sundown of his career.
Kuminga fits a lot better with Phoenix, having floor spacer weapons and Booker as the initator. Booker's not an off-ball player, so Kuminga's style won't interfere.
The players the Suns have to send back aren't super valuable, but if the Warriors are being honest, getting back veterans like Royce O'Neale or Dillon Brooks will help them more in their immediate, all-in goals with Steph, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond than Kuminga -- who Steve Kerr outright benched in the playoffs -- will.
If the Warriors don't really want to pay Kuminga but have to get back value for the asset, and the Suns have role players who fit what they need, why doesn't this work?
Cavs could move high-impact player
Dean Wade was a plus-minus monster the past three seasons for Cleveland. The Cavs are 88-37 the last three seasons across the regular season and playoffs with Wade in the lineup (a 57-win pace), and 52-16 last season. But there's talk that he might be available with his being an expiring contract this season. From Cleveland.com:
"It’s worth noting there was plenty of chatter in the desert about defense-first forward Dean Wade possibly being moved. An unrestricted free agent following the season, the current belief is Wade likely wouldn’t return, with cap-strapped Cleveland being unable to afford him. So, do the Cavs try to get something of value now before he potentially departs? Sources say numerous contenders from each conference have expressed interest. The Dallas Mavericks have been fans for a few years, and a former Cleveland assistant is part of the coaching staff."
The Cavs were reluctant to trust Wade in the playoffs, just as they were with Isaac Okoro, despite their minutes being better than their alternatives. Wade is a good defender who has evolved into a crack shooter and brings physicality in rebounding.
Dallas is an interesting fit, given that their biggest problem is the lack of ballhandler creators. But a lineup featuring Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Wade would have monstrous size and spacing.
Another team that should kick the tires on Wade is Chicago, who has guard to move with Josh Giddey's looming extension and a need for more shooting, especially in the frontcourt.
Either way, teams should be looking to add Wade, the kind of low-cost, high-impact veteran that does the things that help teams win without a high usage rate, even with a bigger payday due next summer.