The Ben Simmons period in Brooklyn is over.
The injury-prone 28-year-old agreed to a contract buyout with the Nets and intends to signal with the Los Angeles Clippers after clearing waivers, in accordance with a number of experiences. In leaving the Nets, he gave again $1.1 million, the prorated minimal contract, in his buyout, in accordance with ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The three-time All-Star could be a low-risk, excessive reward addition for the Clippers, who’re already outfitted with playmakers James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell.
Simmons’ buyout comes after an unsuccessful tenure with the Nets since touchdown in Brooklyn in a deal that despatched James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022. Simmons averaged 6.2 factors, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 33 appearances this season with the Nets. His 24 begins in 2024-25 are probably the most since becoming a member of the franchise.
Resulting from accidents, the previous No. 1 choose didn’t regain the stardom he flashed as a member of the 76ers.
He wasn’t cleared to play in back-to-backs this season after present process offseason surgical procedure. The 6-10 playmaker underwent a profitable microscopic partial discectomy in March to alleviate the pinched nerve in his decrease again that restricted him to simply 15 video games in 2023-24 — his second surgical procedure since he was acquired within the Harden deal.
Brooklyn went 13-20 with Simmons in 2024-25 and are 44-46 with him all time. The workforce didn’t document a single postseason win throughout Simmons’ tenure. And far to the ire of followers, Simmons’ inabilities on the court docket coincided with the Nets coping with the ultimate years of a profitable five-year, $177 million max extension he signed with the 76ers. He’s set to hit free company on the finish of the season.
Simmons now heads to the Clippers (28-23) who entered Saturday within the seventh seed within the Western Convention. Tyronn Lue’s squad is only a half recreation behind the Minnesota Timberwolves, who personal the sixth and remaining assured postseason spot.
The Clippers hope Simmons might be one other contributor alongside the roster’s present stars whereas exhibiting flashes of strong protection that awarded him two All-Defensive Crew choices.
Simmons is scheduled to return to Barclays Heart as a Clipper on March 28.
