NBA Rumors: Knicks, Simmons, Sexton, WCJ, Bulls, Rookie-Scale Extensions

Originally posted on FortyEightMinutes | Last updated 10/15/21

The Knicks filled their final two-way spot with former first-round pick Luka Samanic, as Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Samanic was drafted by the Spurs with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2019 draft, though the power forward didn’t make major strides in limited run with San Antonio. The club waived him earlier this week as they trimmed down their roster.

Jericho Sims occupies that team’s other two-way spot. Both players are likely to see significant time with the team’s G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks.

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Ben Simmons has cleared the league’s health and safety protocols, though he isn’t with the team for its preseason finale against the Pistons (via Ramona Shelburne of ESPN). The three-time All-Star is in the process of getting back to proper conditioning after missing training camp and the preseason. Sixers coach Doc Rivers said he expects Simmons to be at the team’s practice on Sunday (via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer).
The Magic and Wendell Carter Jr. have agreed to a four-year extension. Carter was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 draft and members of that draft class have until next week to come to terms on rookie-scale extensions with their current team. Deandre Ayton and Collin Sexton are among the notable names from the draft class currently without a new deal.
Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com believes a five-year, $100 million pact (similar to the deal Jarrett Allen received) might be the appropriate framework of a deal between Sexton and the Cavaliers. While it once appeared that Sexton would be traded before the deadline to sign an extension, now it appears that the point guard will remain in Cleveland.
With all the new pieces on the Bulls’ roster, Nikola Vucevic will still be a focal point of the team’s offense, Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic writes. “With all the guys I have around me now, I have so many opportunities to score: trail 3s, drive-and-kick, off pick-and-pops, on rolls and dump-offs,” Vucevic said. “We have so many guys who are good on the ball and that are willing passers, as a big man, it’s a luxury to have. We just have to get used to each other and build that chemistry, and I think it’ll be great for everybody.”