FEBRUARY 10: The Clippers have officially signed Simmons, according to a team press release.
FEBRUARY 8: After agreeing to a buyout with the Nets, Ben Simmons has reached a deal to sign with the Clippers, league sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Los Angeles was one of three teams rumored to be in the mix for Simmons, who will become an unrestricted free agent on Monday after being officially waived by Brooklyn on Saturday. Cleveland and Houston were among the other clubs said to have interest in the former No. 1 overall pick.
Simmons’ career got off to an impressive start in Philadelphia, where he earned 2018 Rookie of the Year honors, made three All-Star teams, and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2021. However, he had a falling out with the team that resulted in a lengthy holdout and a trade to Brooklyn.
Simmons, who has also dealt with a series of back issues that required multiple surgeries in recent years, has been limited to just 90 total games since being dealt to the Nets at the 2022 deadline. He averaged 6.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds in 25.4 minutes per contest across those 90 appearances.
While Simmons’ extremely limited shooting ability make him a tricky piece to incorporate alongside other non-shooters, he’s still a talented play-maker, defender, and rebounder who should have more significantly value as a low-cost addition on the buyout market than he did on his previous maximum-salary contract.
After making a series of moves ahead of the trade deadline, L.A. entered the day with an open roster spot and $1.9MM in breathing room below the luxury tax line, notes ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link).
The Clippers still have a portion of their mid-level exception available and could use it to pay Simmons more than the prorated veteran’s minimum, but it’s unclear whether they’ll do so. Either way, it seems safe to assume they won’t cross the tax line as a result of signing Simmons.
As a result of their trade deadline machinations, the Clippers sent out guards Terance Mann, Kevin Porter, and Bones Hyland, so Simmons and fellow newcomer Bogdan Bogdanovic should have an opportunity to earn regular minutes in the backcourt. Given his unique skill set, Simmons could also serve as a de facto big man in certain lineups.
Harden and Simmons on the same team lmao
And then…it works.
Clips ain’t winning anything this year.
Quoting that to come back to it. Haha.
Won’t hold it against you if they surprise and do.
We haven’t seen the Clipps best yet…
Man, I’ve been pretty consistent for years in my doubt for the Clippers. Kawhi is too injury prone and I’ve seen Harden enough up close as a Sixers fan to say long rely on him. Norman can only do so much.
In H-town we saw who Harden was. Game 6 Spurs. Never rely on Harden
Oh but we have certainly seen Hardens best
Their best was at the bubble against the Nuggets before they came crashing down when PG hit the side of the backboard.
Yup towin, no one has seen the CLIPS best yet. Ever.
Clips might have, arguably, the best defense in the west. That’s a complete team, and a dominant one if Leonard and Harden stay healthy in the playoffs.
Why trade them for each other when u can have both ?
I don’t see the humor, the Clippers managed to duck the tax, get a bu C they needed and the best b/u candidate on the market most likely for a 2nd Rd pick in grand total
Another success cycle for the cross town rivals. I have no proof or empirical evidence but Id wager the Clips have a top 10 front office employed today easily; probably even top 5 .
Ballmer was always known in the business world for his great management hirings and always seeking out great forward thinking minds
Good for him. Hopefully he realizes this is one of the few chances he has left. Will help their defense and create easier transition baskets for others.
If Lue can’t make him a better player nobody can.
He hasn’t inspired Kawhi I doubt he’ll inspire Simmons.
Kawhi has always played at his own pace. Don’t forget even papa couldn’t motivate him.
Kawhi is always injured, nothing to do with Lue
Doc destroyed his mind calling him out and basically scapegoating him for Philly’s playoff woes.. which never changed after Simmons btw. Some players can handle that, some can’t. It is the coaches job to know the difference.
I think Doc is a fraud as a coach, and now the Bucks are stuck with him…. Damn! Ty Lue is one of the best coaches around. This clippers team was held together by him until the team could get whole. He will have nothing but positive influence in Simmons.
The amount of tampering in the NBA is just stupid. Can some of the other teams in the league at least get a chance to offer an opportunity??? Potential destinations should not be negotiated ahead of time. Everybody should get a chance to make a pitch.
I’m sure a lot of teams are heated at not getting in on the Simmons sweepstakes
You are upset your team missed on Ben Simmons? Have been in a coma for 3 years?
Sure, be under apron 1 you got just as much shot as anyone
Problem is that most players aren’t going to agree to a “buyout” (where they give back $$) unless and until their next deal is (all but) in place.
Agents are likely talking to multiple teams, so there may be more opportunity than you think. Tampering? Maybe, but I’m also pretty certain that these discussions are not objectionable to the existing team, which is likely anxious to save a few bucks when they waive a guy vs just waiving him and being on the hook for their entire salary.
If a player knows where he wants to go why should he waste his time listening to meaningless pitches?
Exactly!
Ahh I wanted to see Simmons, Jimmy, Draymond bullying everyone on D…Warriors gotta fire Kerr or else no one will ever come here again smh
Well you aren’t under apron 1 so you never had a chance to begin with
Goes to show you how Davey J does not know ball at all
Apron 2 though!!!!
Can’t sign any buyout players making more than the MLE at Apron 2. Need to be under Apron 1 to do that under this new CBA, which has had a noticeable chilling effect on trades and increased the value of FRPs.
I’m not even bothering to learn all these idiotic new rules that are stifling the game, because they are obviously going to change them, but thank you for that clarification!
The aProns are there for competitive balance, and without a true hard cap that makes sense, they have to create these deterrents to player hoarding like Baseball will never get rid of.
CBA’s can never really account for a rogue GM trading his best 25 y/o HOF player to the biggest market in sports though
“Competitive balance” but my Warriors won 48 games and missed the playoffs back in the day, so….these measures do not work…
Its worth it to take a look. Just not interested in Ben anymore. Can’t support players who don’t care about playing……. He should be run out the keague.
Still haven’t told what’s wrong with his back. He came from Philly with no back issues. Then after sitting out for most season. Ge came to Nets. And suddenly he developed a bad back. They say he had Surgeries. I thought it was one. Have not read about it or researched it. And woder why the public has not been informed correctly if it. Ben is wasted talent imo. Going going gone ……. We never knewYa
Because the public gets . Probable, questionable, doubtful and out. It’s none of your business how many surgeries he’s had abs what part of the body.
.
Its everyones business.
You don’t remember that Milwaukee game in February 2020 when he took such a hard fall in Milwaukee that he was left lying on his back, vomiting from the pain? He chose rehab over surgery so he would be back for the playoffs. La
Last season he had microscopic partial discectomy to remove part of herniated disk and alleviate the pain from nerve impingement in his lower back. That’s not something you fake.
What a joke of a take. Only an a$$hole would say that. Haters gonna hate.
His back issues are well documented. The surgeries were not staged like you prolly think the moon landing was. Got news for ya, the earth is round.
Tbh I don’t think it’s some massive conspiracy…Ben probably just stopped lifting/working out while holding out on his couch and got out of shape. Tried to come back too soon without full conditioning and got hurt. Staying in peak shape year-round is the key to Lebron’s longevity IMO; the man is a consummate professional.
Now that’s a much better explanation. Of course it’s ultimately mental. The back injuries gave him an excuse to kind of quit. He obviously doesn’t LOVE the game, he’s not dedicated like a great player needs to. That last year in Philly destroyed him mentally and competitively.
1 Microscopic partial discectomy.
2 Herniated Disk.
He’s also faking mental illness according to some. Yet, I’m pretty sure it runs in the family. Heard his sister open her mouth….bad s**t crazy. Accused her half brother, Ben’s manager of raping her before retracting statements stating, she just made it up.
link to google.com
There still plenty we dont know.
Ben Simmons, an NBA player, reportedly hurt his back during his rehabilitation process after being traded to the Brooklyn Nets, meaning the injury occurred sometime after his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers; he has since had multiple setbacks with the same back issue, causing him to miss significant playing time throughout recent seasons.
link to google.com
My point is. This wasn’t basketball related. And considering the surgeries. Why haven’t we been told where this started. Seems to me he was damaged goods from Philly. Besides his confidence being killed. Cause if it was away from basketball. Nets do have protections against contract.
But I get they wanted Harden gone. So nobody cares. Especially NBA. Im just thorough. And want all information.
First back issue was at philly. Second was ramping up basketball activity after being traded to nets. You can’t fake multiple back surgeries, except the media can somehow come to this assumption. Not one person who lied and accused Ben of faking mental illness and having back issues ever apologised. Damage done. How many guys have come back from multiple back surgeries and been their old all star self. 6,6 and 6 isn’t that bad considering the size of his contracts going forward. Multiple contending teams, NY included would very much be interested in a minimum wage Ben Simmons.
Lots of Instagram Escorts say his back is fine. Ben got no problem raw dogging it on and off the court. Basketball is just a hustle…the real
grind is partying, pussycats and pink tucci
Cringe AF.
Benny “The Bankrobber” Simmon “ strikes again!
How much did Simmons PAY the Nets to get them to buy him out??
Ben Harden Powell Kawhi Zubat
Bench
DJJ Coffey Batum K. Brown Eubanks
Sign stars for insurance
Isaiah Thomas
John Wall
Why wouldn’t Blake have his last dance tour? Who can say anything to him?
In Hollywood, we want stars
Marketineable people
Lights, action, drama
No boredom basketball
No extra pass
No San Antonio Spurs
This is L.A. city
Marketineable?
Does that mean Lauri Markkanenable is headed to Hollywood too?
Lauri Markannen is marketable in Utah, Indiana and Boston.
Before you criticize me:
Sillivan is the most attacked guy on the forum.
Sillivan can take the blame.
Sillivan is the star of this thread.
People who complain are dependent on his entertainment. No Sillivan, no Hollywood.
Stars and soul of HoopsRumors forum:
Sillivan KnickerbockerAI Sankara Me Davey J.
There are many valuable conytibutiors I omit.
Whining people are scrubs.
On par with signing Butler to an extension but cheaper…
Interesting signing, lets see if Ben can reignite his career and go back to his all nba/dpoy level
Will be interesting to see how long the Clippers give Simmons to prove he belongs in the NBA in 2025 and going forward. He has a lot to prove. Is he going to be a frequently injured role player expecting too much out of teams going forward, and getting paid more than that kind of player is worth? Or will he finally get over his physical problems and psychological limitations and be the player he was hyped up to be and showed many flashes of? He has to make this work, and he either can or can’t.
Agents have a lot to do with these second- and third-chance, possibly washed-up players staying in the league. He’s apparently got a good one in Bernie Lee, if Bernie is still it. The NBA is getting less and less forgiving of the players on the fringes.
Ben Simmons love LA…lots of pussycats and pink tucci for a light skinned brotha
BigSpoon, tiny brain.
nah wait until the Ben Simmons X Kim Kardashian video come out bro
Na
Traphouse full of pussycats in Hidden Hills. Hes Calabasas most wanted bro.