The Nets are working on a buyout agreement with forward/guard Ben Simmons, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Cavaliers and the Clippers are among the teams to watch for the former All-Star, Charania reports. The Athletic’s Law Murray confirmed the Clippers’ interest on Thursday (Twitter link).
On Thursday’s trade deadline NBA Today show (YouTube link), Brian Windhorst of ESPN named the Rockets as a potential suitor as well.
Simmons is in the final year of a five-year maximum-salary contract he signed with Philadelphia that began in 2020. He’s owed $40.34MM this year, but it’s unclear at this juncture how much of that he’ll give up in his buyout with the team.
He was originally traded to the Nets at the 2022 deadline in the deal that landed James Harden with Philadelphia. However, after holding out for part of the season and dealing with a back injury, Simmons ultimately didn’t suit up for the Nets until the 2022/23 season.
He didn’t end up playing much for Brooklyn over the following three seasons, appearing in a total of 90 games (69 starts) and averaging 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists while only attempting 5.3 shots per game.
While Simmons isn’t the same level of defender as he was when he finished no lower than fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in consecutive seasons from 2019-21, he still provides some intrigue on that end. Both the Cavaliers and Clippers have at least one open roster spot, so they wouldn’t need to clear the way to sign him. The Rockets don’t have a roster spot open but could waive Cody Zeller once their series of trade deadline moves is completed.
Due to apron rules, the Celtics, Nuggets, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks and Suns are the teams ineligible to sign Simmons once he hits free agency, Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (Twitter link). Those seven teams are either in the first or second apron and are thus not allowed to sign players who make more than the mid-level exception, which is $12.8MM.
As for the Nets, parting ways with Simmons allows the team to open a roster spot. They could see if any interesting young players worth taking fliers on hit waivers or they could opt to convert one of their two-way players to a standard deal if they so chose. Two-way players Tosan Evbuomwan and Tyrese Martin have both been contributors in Brooklyn.
What a waste of talent.
Definition of tall for no reason
His accountant disagrees
He’s made over 200 million dollars.
His agent loves him too
Gotta love that Clippers are incapable of learning
Some dumb GM will give him a contract
Is Simmons unplayably bad? No. Also new surroundings can spark a career. People mostly hated him for getting the bag then immediately getting injured, not for lack of talent.
Davey… people don’t like Ben because he’s afraid to shoot the basketball and his mental health fiasco. No one is mad that he has a bad back.
That’s why people are guarded with their mental health issues, especially professional athletes. He came forth with his issues and the 76ers screwed him and the fans vilified him for it.
no he used them as an excuse to not take respondibility for himself
yea…..that stigma discourages people from getting the help they need. it shouldn’t be that way
Its a vet min who cares either he does something or you cut him and sign another
Ok I wanna see the defense of Simmons, Draymond and Podz together.
Who can Knicks get on a buy out? What are everyone’s guess who’s available soon? Also Does anyone want to come to New York now? Has Thibs and JB changed the culture finally??
Put him on the front line of Cavs with Allen & Mobley and no one will be driving to the hoop.
Wait till he has to make a free throw with the game on the line lol
With the game on the line? I hack him in the first quarter.
Part of me wants to see him sign with the team that winds up winning the chip, play solid minutes in a reserve role, and then retire.
Any team that signs him for next year would be foolish.
Many teams would take a flyer with a minimum non-guaranteed contract…
Maybe even some more, but never more than the MLE.
Fair, I just think he’s ready for the next chapter in life. Seems over bball and has made enough money to be set for life.
sixers reunion ? ? ?
I think Ben is still a serviceable player even if he is a shell of his former self
Hilarious
What’s Simmons have to gain here besides getting the hell on up outta Brooklyn? A buyout infers he’d have to give up some salary and if he goes to a new team and shows he has something left they wouldn’t have his bird rights. Perhaps the guy just wants to play meaningful basketball again.
Back to Australia with ‘im!
Thats not a kniof this is a kniof
Indy would be cool.
Go back to playing SF, Tyrese struggles to create for himself at times but now he could do some off ball catch and shoot stuff playing off Simmons.
They have a stretch 5 in Myles Turner.
They are a bad team defensively.
However Ben with his ego wouldn’t go to a small market non contender like Indy. He’s all about money and looking good.
He’d also be ideal for Pheonix. Can play 1-3-4, great defender, ball handler/playmaker but he’s ruined that ever happening with KD being there and having been teammates in Brooklyn.
Even back to Philly, we need a 4. He would get a good amount of touches, his ability to make plays, his defence. It would be great but that won’t happen.
Lastly ATL. Simmons there helping replace Jalen Johnson. He can defence, rebound, make plays. Trae gets more off ball catch and shoot stuff. Aussie connection to Dyson Daniel’s. Former teammates with Niang who just got there. But find that also very unlikely.
The biggest thing holding him back besides the injuries is now his work ethic and ego.
You only get better by working hard and it seems as if this guy thinks he’s better than everyone already and now he’s now the leaking order and made his money he just wants to sit back and look good. I really hope I’m wrong and he does turn it around cause he was an awesome player in his prime
He cannot go to Phoenix as he earns more than 12.8 million.
Meh
Would be great on the Kings roster right now
Hate gone wayyy too far , the buy out market tends to usually be very underwhelming but Ben is exactly the type that could be a contributor
Low usage 2 nd unit facilitator that can take on good minute stretches guarding other ( good ) opposing wings
Okc Hou Mem Clips make a ton of sense – My guess is he’s a Clipper in a couple days
Interesting to see where he continues his hall of fame worthy career.
Australian equivalent of the Y?
First off any playoff team. That doesn’t take a long look is not doing their jobs. Bens is going to cost nothing for this yr. Thats worth looking into. Im sure someone will sign him. You think Suns, Lakers, Warriors, Knicks shouldn’t look at him. Please …..
Due to apron rules, the Celtics, Nuggets, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks and Suns are the teams ineligible to sign Simmons once he hits free agency, Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (Twitter link). Those seven teams are either in the first or second apron and are thus not allowed to sign players who make more than the mid-level exception, which is $12.8MM.
Warriors and other teams can sign him but not Lakers or Knicks…
Not gonna lie, I forgot he was still in the league