There is always a time during the NBA offseason when rumors get a little out of control, and this week the Los Angeles Lakers provided one. The focus quickly shifted to who Los Angeles might target next after losing out on Jonathan Kuminga, who opted for Minnesota’s $13 million deal over a much larger Lakers offer. Ben Simmons was the name that became popular almost right away. All-Star three times. previously the top overall pick. a player who hasn’t made a significant appearance in an NBA game in a long time. Social media was acting as though it was a done deal all of a sudden.
It wasn’t. One of the more reputable NBA reporters, Marc Stein, quickly refuted the assertion that Simmons and the Lakers shared a common interest. The initial post credited Stein’s own reporting for the rumor, which quickly gained popularity and received over a thousand likes on X in a matter of hours. Stein’s answer was straightforward: he never said or wrote anything like that. The claim’s account has previously released fake quotes purporting to be from Luka Dončić, which provides crucial background information. Before taking any of this at face value, you should slow down.
Nevertheless, Simmons has been quiet during the offseason. Earlier this summer, he announced his plan to rejoin the NBA. This week, rumors surfaced from Florida that he had engaged in a workout that impressed at least one spectator. Beat writer Carmichael Dave, who covers the Sacramento Kings, shared a text from an attendee who said Simmons looked “fantastic.”
Dave was cautious to add his own grain of salt, jokingly pointing out that he is accustomed to the yearly summer cycle of optimistic Simmons reports that don’t always result in anything tangible. It’s a valid point. These things tend to get exaggerated during the offseason, and Simmons has previously been the focus of positive workout reports without a significant on-court comeback.
Nevertheless, beneath the cacophony, a genuine conversation is taking place. There is a real need for a power forward on the Lakers. There was a noticeable void left by Kuminga’s rejection, and the front office has little leeway as training camp draws near and 16 players already have guarantyd contracts. At this stage, adding someone necessitates removing a piece first. In theory, Simmons would only cost a veteran minimum contract if he is motivated and in good health. This makes the idea at least plausible as a low-risk discussion, even if it hasn’t advanced beyond that.
What this moment shows about the Lakers’ position going into the season is the bigger problem. Kuminga traveled to a place he trusted more for less money. Whether true or not, the Simmons rumor quickly gained traction because it supported a narrative that fans and observers already partially believe: that Los Angeles is struggling at the edges of its roster rather than building from a position of strength. That might be an unfair reading.
This offseason, Rob Pelinka significantly changed the roster by adding younger players to surround Dončić and Austin Reaves. However, there’s a feeling that the Lakers are still figuring out who they really are, which is further supported by the Kuminga situation and the current Simmons rumors.
Observing all of this from the outside, it’s difficult not to feel as though the front office is managing a very difficult situation: a young roster still figuring things out, incoming new ownership, and a star player in Dončić who needs genuine support to put the team in contention. It’s unclear if Ben Simmons has anything to do with that response, but the evidence currently points to a likely negative answer. However, the rumor’s rapid and widespread dissemination speaks volumes about the anxiety surrounding this Lakers offseason. There are still many unanswered questions. The start of training camp is imminent.
