Warriors reportedly were 'in the mix' for Ben Simmons before Kings contract

The Warriors were reportedly among the teams pursuing Ben Simmons before he agreed to a one-year contract with the Kings, after a search that initially included interest in Russell Westbrook, who chose to retire, and Victor Oladipo, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick. League sources told Amick that both the New York Knicks and Golden State were involved in the pursuit before Sacramento secured Simmons. The report frames the move as “the latest Simmons experiment begins — again.” It notes the Warriors’ roster remains in need of size and secondary playmaking behind an aging core, especially with Jimmy Butler’s return timeline from a torn ACL still uncertain.