Ben Simmons has reached an agreement on a contract buyout with the Nets, paving the way for him to become an unrestricted free agent, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The Nets have confirmed in a press release that they’ve officially requested waivers on Simmons. That means he’ll clear waivers and be free to sign with any NBA team as of Monday at 4:00 pm CT.
Charania first reported shortly after the trade deadline passed on Thursday that the Nets and Simmons were working toward a buyout, then co-reported on Friday along with ESPN colleague Brian Windhorst that the two sides were finalizing the terms of the agreement.
Various reports indicated that Simmons’ camp planned to meet with the Cavaliers, Clippers, and Rockets and that he wouldn’t complete a buyout with Brooklyn until he had his next destination lined up. However, agent Bernie Lee pushed back on that reporting on Friday in a statement to Brian Lewis of The New York Post (Twitter link).
“I just saw some of the other reporting,” Lee said. “(I) want to be really clear Ben hasn’t met with anyone nor is he. We are having conversations with the Nets and when there is something to be said we will let everyone know.”
The fact that Simmons has now been officially waived by the Nets and word still hasn’t leaked about a contract agreement with a new team backs up Lee’s comments. However, I suspect the former No. 1 overall pick wouldn’t have given up any portion of his salary to get out of his contract with Brooklyn unless he was confident about making back that money with another team, so it shouldn’t be long before we get another update.
[UPDATE: Clippers To Sign Ben Simmons]
Simmons, the 2018 Rookie of the Year, made three All-Star teams during his years in Philadelphia and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2021, but had a falling out with the team later that year. A lengthy holdout, a series of back issues, and a trade to the Nets changed the trajectory of his career — across the past three years in Brooklyn, he has appeared in just 90 total games, averaging 6.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds in 25.4 minutes per night.
While Simmons’ extremely limited shooting ability make him a tricky piece to incorporate into certain lineups, 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.
Because he was earning far beyond the $12.8MM mid-level exception on his contract with the Nets, Simmons will be ineligible to sign with any teams operating over either tax apron once he clears waivers. That means the Suns, Timberwolves, Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Bucks, and Nuggets won’t be options.
Clippers would be a good match for him. Can help the bench and transition game. Still can defend most nights.
I’m surprised the Warriors aren’t known to be interested. They only have 12 players and they integrate non-shooters better than most teams with their off-ball splits action. Simmons is still an excellent passer and defender.
Maybe he will post some gym workout videos “back in the lab” so he can con someone else into giving him some more money in FA market for next season.
Lakers next season. Calling it now.
So long as he doesn’t get a hangnail!!
Ben would be sorta perfect for Dallas rn. Ik he had a lil beef wit Dinwiddie but they’ve also played really well together & Ben just fits their roster rly well overall.
If he is a facilitator it does let Kyrie play off ball. Ben just can’t play closing minutes.
Better chose wisely this maybe his last chance. Needs strong leadership which Lue is probably the best of the 3.
He would be a bench guy but you can’t use him late. He probably plays early so it won’t be an issue.
Clips and Cavs best option.
Don’t see Dillon Brooks and Ben being a good combo.
The Kings would be an EXCELLENT fit. No PG right now and a bunch of players that want to score. Ben would be in heaven spoon-feeding those guys.
So how much was his buyout?
Did he still get the full amount 40 mil?
Hasn’t been reported yet, but often players who agree to buyouts give back the same amount to their old team that they’re getting from their new team. So wouldn’t expect the Nets to get back more than $1-2MM.
Correct, no double-dipping…
Pacers fan and was hoping they would sign him – would be a good fit in the ball motion offense (Pacers lead in NBA in passes the last two years)…