Kings Reporters Caught on Hot Mic Calling Ben Simmons “Cringe” and Zach LaVine a “Prick”

At the Sacramento Kings’ media day, some journalists reportedly called Ben Simmons “cringe” but handsome, and Zach LaVine cute with an annoying personality.

The audio was published during a KCRA livestream that showed only the team’s backdrop between player interviews, according to Yahoo Sports. One of the voices in the clip reportedly belongs to Sara Hodges, a former sports broadcaster for KOVR who now anchors at KGO of San Francisco before switching her attention to the players, per the report.

One individual called Simmons “cringe” but complimented his clear skin, while another person called him “lucky he’s so fine.” When asked about LaVine, one individual described him as “hella fine,” but another disagreed.

“Zach’s cute. His personality (expletive) annoys me,” the individual said. “He just seems like hella like a prick.”

According to Kings Muse, a fan-based Twitter handle Yahoo Sports cited, KCRA had to stop and delete the stream after someone found out the microphones were on air. They had also deleted their substitute stream, per the report.

However, ClutchPoints says the clip hasn’t identified all the individuals, and LaVine hasn’t commented, per Essentially Sports.

Simmons didn’t play last year. He signed with Sacramento this month for a deal worth $3.5 million, per ClutchPoints.

The Kings’ reporters and their perspective news outlets have received backlash from fans. Essentially Sports wonders whether the NBA will investigate and notes that Toronto Raptors reporters faced criticism last season for criticizing Scottie Barnes in a leaked audio clip.

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