Joel Embiid responded to a report this week that indicated Ben Simmons feels his career would be in a better place if he didn't play with Embiid.

“I saw (the report),” Embiid said. “I don’t know if it came from him or whatever, but over the past few months stuff has been put out there. And, looking by the reaction of him not being here, I feel like it’s fair to assume that it’s coming from ... whether it’s his agent or his people or whatever. Like I said, it is disappointing, but I feel like over the years the way our team has been built around — like you look at last year, I was the worst three-point shooter of the starting lineup and I shot 38 percent from three. 

“We’ve always had shooters, and I feel like I can really play with anybody and I can make anybody be better on the court. I don’t necessarily need shooters. But I feel like over the years — like you look at when we got Al (Horford), it’s because we needed a stretch five, just to make sure that was for him. And most of my career I’ve had to kind of step out to the three-point line quite a bit — which I don’t mind. I like to be a basketball player; I like to do everything on the basketball court. But I feel like our teams have been built — whether it’s the shooting, the stretch five and all that stuff — I feel like he’s always had it here.”

Embiid continued and spoke of the many three-point shooters still on Philadelphia's roster. 

“It was kind of surprising to see what was said,” Embiid continued. “Even going back to the reason we signed Al. We got rid of Jimmy (Butler), which I still think was a mistake, but he needed the ball in his hands and that’s the decision they made. But, like I said, it is surprising. But I’m really focused on the guys that are here. 

“The situation is weird, disappointing, borderline kind of disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives. Some guys rely on the team to be successful, to stay in the league and make money somehow. Because, if you’re on a winning team, you’re always going to have a spot in the league, just because you’re on a winning team and you contributed. Obviously we’re a better team with him. We’re not a better team without him, that’s for sure. We are a better team with him but, like I said, it is surprising. But I’m focused on the guys that are here. 

“We’re trying to get better, trying to get on the same agenda. … Every single day we’ve got to attack it, and try to get better every single day. But we are a better team with him. There’s no question about it. We still hope that he changes his mind, but I owe it to these guys to worry about what we have here. That’s the front office’s job to figure out what’s going to happen. That’s not my job; I’m not a GM, I’m not an owner, so that’s none of my business, honestly.”

Simmons is currently holding out but the 76ers hope he eventually reports. 

The Dallas Mavericks plan to start Dwight Powell at center with Kristaps Porzingis at power forward.

Porzingis has admitted in the past that he can be more effective at center than at power forward. 

The Mavericks replaced Rick Carlisle with Jason Kidd as head coach in the offseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers are unlikely to start a conventional center this season, leaving the position for Anthony Davis. While Davis is most effective at center, he has historically been reluctant to play the position full time.

The Lakers will likely start Davis, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook alongside Wayne Ellington and Trevor Ariza. Talen Horton-Tucker is also expected to compete in a camp for a starting role.

Ellington made 42.2 percent of his three-pointers last season.

Ariza gives the Lakers' versatility on defense.

The Lakers added Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan at center in the offseason.

The Toronto Raptors won the 2019 championship but lost Kawhi Leonard that offseason and now have lost Kyle Lowry, which has sent them to a bit of a franchise reset.

Toronto's now core includes a pair of 27-year-olds in Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, a 24-year-old in OG Anunoby and 20-year-old Scottie Barnes.

"We are not a team of 'now,'" Ujiri said. "There are going to be growing pains, trust me, you know like, sometimes it's gonna be tough to watch but we know what's coming, we know we're excited about the young talent. They are excited to play - to see how, OG [Anunoby], Pascal [Siakam], Fred, are going to evolve as leaders - as elite players.

"And then the young guys, [Scottie] Barnes, Malachi [Flynn], Dalano [Banton]. In sports, people think 'now,' you know? And this is where we have to be patient and let it grow."

Ujiri also talked about his decision to remain with the Raptors.

"Toronto has become home for me, for my family. There's something about this space of Toronto, of Canada, that really is special. It gives me a good platform to speak, to represent and it's a unique space."

Anthony Davis felt some frustration that he wasn't getting the kind of passes he was receiving from Dennis Schroder as he had a year earlier with Rajon Rondo, a source tells Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. 

Schroder and Davis only connected on one lob all season.

The Los Angeles Lakers let Schroder walk, signed Rondo and also traded for Russell Westbrook. While Westbrook may complicate the Lakers' floor spacing, his ability to get into the lane will certainly create more lob opportunities for Davis.