East Rumors: Wizards, Tyus Jones, Hawks, Dejounte Murray, Nets

Nets

Guard Ben Simmons is expected to play in Saturday’s road game vs. the 76ers, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Simmons was a partial participant at practice on Friday.

Simmons missed 38 games with a back issue, returned for a win over the Jazz on Monday, then suffered a bruised knee. He underwent an MRI on the knee, per Lewis.

Simmons finished with 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting with 11 assists and eight rebounds in the win over the Jazz.

“The 27-year-old suffered modest swelling in the knee, but it didn’t require draining,” Lewis wrote. “A team source said he took an anti-inflammatory which kicked in, allowing him to put himself through all the necessary paces.”

• The Nets have been the subject of multiple trade rumors, particularly when it comes to guard Spencer Dinwiddie and forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale. All three have been linked to the Lakers, for starters. 
• Brooklyn could also trade center Nic Claxton, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line. “I’ve heard more than once this week not to discount the idea that Brooklyn big man Nic Claxton could be more available over the next seven days than previously advertised,” Stein wrote. “There are mixed signals in circulation about the Nets’ plans with Claxton as unrestricted free agency looms this summer.”

Wizards

The Mavericks and Kings continue to show interest in Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma ahead of next week’s trade deadline, per multiple reports.

“Sources say Dallas has indeed registered consistent trade interest in Kuzma in addition to past trade runs at Wizards center Daniel Gafford and versatile forward Deni Avdija, who, like Jalen Green, signed a rookie-scale contract extension ($55 million over four years) in October,” Stein wrote.

Meanwhile, point guard Tyus Jones is also a hot name on the rumor mill. The Lakers, Cavaliers and Timberwolves are among those believed to be interested.

• Fischer wrote: “While the Wizards have stated an asking price to inquiring teams of a first-round pick for floor general Tyus Jones, rival executives have indicated a confidence that Washington will ultimately be willing to move on from Jones for a package of multiple second-round picks.”

Hawks

The Hawks are said to be among the most aggressive teams ahead of the deadline, per Fischer. Obviously, when it comes to Atlanta and trade talks, it all starts with guard Dejounte Murray.

But one rival executive thinks Murray will remain with the team beyond the deadline.

“For one, Quin Snyder wants to keep him and Quin has a lot of say,” the executive said. “Last year, all we heard was they were going to trade (current Jazz forward) John Collins. He wasn’t traded until the offseason. I think that’s what will happen with Murray.”

• Atlanta has held its “most notable” trade talks on center Clint Capela, forward De’Andre Hunter and wing AJ Griffin, per Fischer.
• Fischer added: “It’s become clear that Atlanta values Sixth Man of the Year candidate Bogdan Bogdanovic as highly as any player on its roster not named Trae Young and Jalen Johnson, according to league sources.”