Four NBA teams have reportedly shown interest in Australian star Ben Simmons in the free agency market this off-season.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the three-time All-Star has been targeted by Boston, Phoenix, New York, and Sacramento.
“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,” Stein wrote.
Simmons, former No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft, has been plagued by injuries over the last few seasons, with his perceived value around the league taking a substantial hit since his days at the Philadelphia 76ers.
Last season, the guard averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while representing the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets.
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Ben Simmons of the LA Clippers. Michael Owens/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
Elsewhere, 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to multiple reports on Monday.
The 40-year-old guard returns to a club where he enjoyed some of his best campaigns from 2011-2017 for his 21st and possibly final season, ESPN and The Athletic reported.
The deal, worth $3.6 million (AU$5.5 million), would allow Paul to be near his family in Los Angeles and give him a final chance at an NBA title.
The Clippers have added guard Bradley Beal and centre Brook Lopez while resigning guard James Harden and together with Kawhi Leonard could make the club a formidable Western Conference squad.
In the past 10 seasons, the Clippers have gone past the first round of the playoffs twice, reaching the conference finals for the first time in club history in 2021 before falling to Phoenix.
Paul ranks second on the NBA all-time assists and steals lists after two decades in the league playing for New Orleans, Houston, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Golden State, San Antonio and the Clippers.
The five-time NBA season assists leader and six-time NBA steals leader also helped the US Olympic team capture gold in 2008 at Beijing and 2012 in London.
Paul averaged 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals last season for San Antonio. For his career, Paul has averaged 17.0 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals a game.