The Brooklyn Nets waived point guard Ben Simmons on Saturday, ending his two-plus-year tenure that resulted in limited playing time as he dealt with injuries.
The move comes after The Athletic reported Friday that the two sides were working toward a contract buyout and Simmons would meet with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Clippers and Houston Rockets.
Simmons is in the final year of a five-year, $177 million extension he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. He is earning $40.34 million this season.
The 28-year-old was dealt to the Nets in February 2022 as a key piece in the multiplayer trade that involved James Harden going to Philadelphia. Simmons drew the ire of Sixers fans after he requested a trade following the team’s exit in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2021. He then sat out the entire 2021-22 season, citing a focus on his mental health.
Through 33 games this season, Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 6.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 24 starts. He played in just 15 games last season while dealing with a nerve impingement in his lower back.
Injuries have derailed what had been the start of a promising career. Simmons made three straight All-Star teams in Philadelphia and was voted third-team All-NBA in the 2019-20 season as a 23-year-old.
How would he help the Clippers?
The Clippers have a rare need for a player like Simmons after trading five players, acquiring four players and being left not only with an open roster spot but multiple players who could offer roster flexibility.
I am told that Simmons is looking for stability and a winning environment. The Clippers need two things that Simmons can theoretically provide: a versatile defender capable of being big enough to guard centers in second units, and a decent ballhandler and playmaker for one of the worst teams in the league at protecting the basketball.
LA’s current depth chart has no true point guard or center. Simmons’ position has fluctuated between both, especially in his Nets career.
The Clippers signaled with the trade of P.J. Tucker and Mo Bamba to Utah that they intended to be buyout market players. This is the initial foray into that endeavor. — Law Murray, Clippers beat writer
What about the Cavaliers?
The Cavaliers cleared a roster spot yesterday by trading Georges Niang and Caris LeVert for De’Andre Hunter and are looking to add a reserve big to play behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson likes to split Mobley and Allen for most of the game, and Simmons could be an unreliable player in a playoff series because he struggled to shoot 3s and free throws.
But Simmons’ versatility in other facets could give the team insurance in the case of injury or foul trouble. — Joe Vardon, senior NBA writer
Required reading
(Photo: Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)
