West exec on Luka Doncic: Only way to force a trade is to sit out like Ben Simmons did

Simmons will be in street clothes when the Nets host the 76ers on Sunday in the low-stakes finale, and when they travel to Philadelphia next week for the games that count. Forget the fact they’ve lost three straight to the Sixers. The Harden-Simmons subplot will add spice to what has the potential to be a rivalry. “Definitely,” Dinwiddie said. “I think we need a little more long-standing success as a rivalry to call Philly a true rival, but we have had some iconic meetings when I was there. They had a little beef; Nic [Claxton] and Embiid got into it, and Embiid had elbowed Jarrett, stuff like that. I’d say it’s too early.” -via New York Post / April 8, 2023

THE TRENCHES, TrenchWork Sports’ basketball training camp will take place in two sessions from July 24th to August 4th at the Arena of Peace & Friendship Stadium, Athens, Greece.  The daily program will include 8 hours of personalized skill workouts with NBA and EuroLeague stars’ skills trainers and coaches from NBA teams.  In charge of the coaching team of THE TRENCHES in Athens: * Phil Handy, assistant coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. * Chris Johnson, the master teacher of the best of the best in the NBA, such as LeBron James and Ben Simmons.  * Chris Hines, the player development coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves.  * David Vanterpool, experienced in the EuroLeague and the NBA.  * Quinton Crawford, assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks.   * Oliver Lafayette,the two-times EuroCup champion. -via EuroHoops.net / April 5, 2023

“I don’t even like doing this but I’m looking at a guy like Ben Simmons,” Garnett began his rant. “Ben Simmons, if you’re listening, I want you to go back and find your roots. Go back and find why you love playing the game. Straight up. You got a lot to give to the game. Straight up. “Like, to shut him down and him have back issues and be going through this whole f*cking song and dance. There’s like Melo [Carmelo Anthony], there’s [DeMarcus] Cousins at home, Dwight [Howard]… There’s n*ggas at home that could be in the league in the position. “If your heart ain’t in it, it is what it is. I hate to say that. I think he got another run in him, but it’s going to be Ben Simmons. It’s going to have to be him. Not his mom, none of this collective around him. No, it’s going to have to be him.” -via TalkBasket / April 4, 2023

Doncic, according to sources, has not been very active in the Mavericks’ decision-making process—and has no desire to change that. But around the league, teams are watching for the moment when Doncic gets fed up with the Mavs. “It is more just wishing than reality,” one Eastern Conference GM told Heavy Sports. “But there is definitely a thought process of this happening eventually, and it being a matter of when and not if. But the truth is, we were saying that about Giannis, too, and that certainly changed. Bradley Beal, guys like that—there is no reason to think that Luka is bolting for the door. Not yet, at least.” -via Heavy.com / April 10, 2023

“Anyone saying they’re going to trade him isn’t looking at the facts, or it is wishful thinking. Why trade him? You have him signed through 2027. This is not an issue until 2025 or 2026. That’s just the reality, the way the CBA is set up. He has not been in town long enough to start asking out.” But no doubt, the clock is ticking in Dallas. -via Heavy.com / April 10, 2023

Dallas’ short-term future with Doncic is secure, but the long-term future starts now. “(The Mavericks) have a few more years and they gotta get their s*** together,” the exec said. “That’s the bottom line.” -via Heavy.com / April 10, 2023