NBA Rumors: Knicks, Ben Simmons, Hornets, Spencer Dinwiddie, Mavericks, Cooper Flagg

Knicks

The Knicks have taken a look at the possibility of signing former No. 1 overall pick and free agent guard/forward Ben Simmons, according to Ian Begley of SNY.

Simmons is believed to be seeking more than a veteran’s minimum contract after finishing last season with the Clippers. He reportedly has spoken to three other teams besides the Knicks as well.

In 51 combined games with the Clippers and Nets last season, Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. He’s expected to decide on his next team by the end of the week, reports suggest.

— In case you missed it, New York is rolling with Mike Brown as its next head coach. We have the full story here.

Hornets

The Hornets have signed free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie to a one-year contract, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. It is believed to be for the veteran’s minimum.

Dinwiddie, 32, is coming off his second run with the Mavericks and played a fairly notable role after the team traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers.

He appeared in 79 games this past season, starting 30 times and averaging 11.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 27.0 minutes a game. Along the way, he shot 41.6% from the field and 33.4% on 3-pointers.

In Charlotte, he is expected to back up LaMelo Ball, giving the Hornets a needed veteran presence at guard. Charlotte also recently traded for ex-Jazz guard Collin Sexton, so the Hornets’ backcourt is seemingly coming together nicely this offseason.

Mavericks

No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg has signed his rookie contract with the Mavericks, the team said in an announcement.

While terms of the deal weren’t made official, Flagg will slide into a rookie scale deal that will pay him $13.8 million salary in his rookie year and a total of $62.7 million over his first four NBA seasons.

Flagg, still just 18 years old, should actually be a college freshman after reclassifying and entering Duke last season. He led the Blue Devils to a 35-4 record and an appearance in the Final Four.

With the Mavericks, he is expected to be brought along fairly slowly with the likes of veterans such as Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving (when healthy), Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell by his side.