February 7: After being listed as away from the team as he progressed toward a buyout (Twitter link via Brian Lewis of The New York Post), Charania and Windhorst report (via Twitter) that Simmons is finalizing a buyout with the Nets. He will meet with the Cavaliers and Clippers on Friday, per ESPN’s duo.
Sources tell NBA insider Chris Haynes that Simmons will also meet with the Rockets (Twitter link). According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link), Simmons will finalize his buyout once he has a new team lined up.
February 6: 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
Proving the point right there, dude.
Im pretty player sided on most issues if not all issues. I have a track record of this. That being said, Ben clearly bent the rules and said he had mental health struggles so that he could continue collecting checks while not being with the team. His only mental struggles came from him being petrified to have the ball in his hands. That is not what guys like Kevin Love fought for. It’s a mockery of actual mental health struggles for players across the league.
yea…..that stigma discourages people from getting the help they need. it shouldn’t be that way
Well the issue is that he wanted to not honor his commitment while still getting paid. No one would be mad if he got help in his own dime
You mean like paid time off?
Aint nothin wrong with Ben mentally… he fully knows what he’s doing.
He don’t wanna play – he just wants his money.
Basketball is recreational for him – when he doesn’t wanna play, he doesn’t wanna play!
But, he wants his money regardless.
Thank you for your analysis Dr. Sigmund Jump Shot
absolutely 100% incorrect
He might be a good bench player for the warriors since they desperately need defense after trading Wiggins. last night it showed how bad the defense is for them.
Please god let me see Jimmy, Ben, and Draymond on the same roster
Ben would need to give 100% everyday or Green would get on him.
Bone man is correct.
@washington – agreed. I also believe that folks wouldn’t have been upset with him if not for the fact he was still getting paid and the league rules prevented the Sixers/Nets from being able to sign a player in his slot if he’s out for a substantial period of time (or at least be able to put him on a PUP that doesn’t allow him to come back for the assigned period), allowing the team to make adjustments. In the end, it’s not fair to the fans who pay for the tickets to see a player not perform and hold the team back from being able to be competitive.
People hate him for faking mental health issues because he was pouting that the 76ers didn’t gush about him in the media. He quit on his team and then slapped people with legitimate mental health issues in the face. It was transparent as hell why he was claiming that. Even after he came out with his supposed mental health issues the 76ers stood by him they just wanted proof that he was actively working to address those issues. Ben refused to provide that proof and continued to act like a child. I have zero respect for Ben.
“faking mental health issues” – proof? Insane claim you just made up out of thin air btw. More like “Im a butt hurt 6ers fan who thought trusting the process was real and would work”.
My point still stands, he isn’t unplayably bad like you are lying about him being. But you proved homerism is mental illness. Maybe you should seek help too.
The 76ers never supported him. They asked for proof and he provided a written statement from his psychologist. They then wanted him to see team hired doctors with a potential 76ers bias. Then they used his refusal to see the doctors as excuse not to pay him.
Ben wanted out cause he couldn’t handle the pressure of Philly. Simple fact.
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??
Drink some milk, mlbnyyfan
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.
Simmons should try the Korean method with the free throws – smack every one off the backboard so it falls in.
Underhand free throws!
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
Two issues I see. His availability and does he want to grind away at the minimum. He hasn’t exactly shown to be super dedicated to basketball. Literally never improved in any meaningful way.
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.
Do Bird rights help you if you’re not going to get anywhere near the previous contract level you had? I’m not sure. I wouldn’t think so, but it’s possible that they still have some value. Maybe Luke knows.
If you expect to sign for more than the minimum, they still help. Hard to predict what Simmons’ market will be this offseason.
Thanks, that could be a case for him to refuse a buyout then
I can’t imagine his market, even with an ideal outcome on a new team after a buyout, is higher than the midlevel. So I doubt bird rights matter at all.
At this point any team giving him more than a partial guarantee on a minimum contract is foolish. It’s not like he is some vet you want in the locker room to guide a young team. If anything it’s the opposite.
Back to Australia with ‘im!
Thats not a kniof this is a kniof
Throw another Zoloft on the barby!
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
If I go from Fox to Simmons in the span of 2 weeks I’ll need to be put on suicide watch
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…
Warriors theoretically could, but practically couldn’t since they’re about $600K under the apron where they’d be hard capped. They’d have to shed salary through waiving someone that would definitely be claimed.
To follow up, I’m not sure how ten-day and “rest-of-season” minimum contracts affect the cap number. There may be a creative way for the Warriors to sign him if he’s bought out, but I’m not sure what that would be.
Simmons, Green, Butler defensively got people shook in here already, lmao it hasnt even happened yet
Not gonna lie, I forgot he was still in the league
Either the Clippers or the Cavs.
Yeah right. Are the Nets tanking? They should wait
Just start Zhaire Williams at SF and look for a starter at PG and bench Simmons the rest of the season. Only play him in crunch time minutes. Waive him towards the end of the season , no buyout or nothing. So he misses the playoffs as well. No need for a hand out ring singing just in case. Let the money hit for this year and this year only. Give him a taste of his own medicine
That was quite the word salad. Buy outs of expiring contracts don’t impact future years. What are you even talking about?
At this point it makes more sense for them to take a flyer on a young guy they are intrigued by.
If they did a buyout or stretch provision, just this year for Simmons money to hit is what I mean. Do not buyout for multiple years.
Yes I agree they should be looking at all the young players they can. Players the same age as Thomas and Williams (22-23). Signing Wiseman for next year would be good
Pistons make since best shooting coach in the business of anyone has a chance to unlock him it’s Vincent, he did wonders for lonzo ball, herb Jones, ect…
Any Ben Simmons story brings out the haters….he is still someone who is good at running fast tempo offense when given the chance.
Gets team mates involved, and is a good rebounder and defender.
This guy cannot shoot…it is what it is… If the price is right a lot of teams would take a punt.
Players that read the game as well as he does are always worth the risk.
Truthfully, as a Cavs fan, I would fully take him over the husk of Tristan Thompson. Simmons’ FT percentage isn’t even that bad this year. Just shy of 70%. Even if he regresses back to the past two seasons, that’s still better than Thompson, who is shooting 23% from the line and shot 29% last season. He’s everything Thompson is but better, several things he isn’t, and plays good defense. Why wouldn’t they take a flyer on him?
As a Celtics, fan, I wish they could get him as well.
Like you said, why not? A guy who plays good d 1-5 and can run your offense is a good 10th man on any playoff team.
Even better when you’re already 10-deep when healthy. The Cavs basically only need a functional body who can give Mobley/Allen a bit of backup and potentially play situationally to accelerate the offense (Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, Merrill, and Allen are all good transition players, plus now Hunter too) or add size/length.
Celts got a good pickup with Craig. He’ll be back from injury soon and is a reliable bench guy.
I love Craig.
Cleveland has a VERY good team now dude.
I love how 6ers fans are showing their butts in here, every single playoff team would take Ben, but to a homer 76ers fan, he is the worst player who ever walked the earth – nope, that’s just butthurtedness.
Butthurtness?
The guy couldn’t take the pressure and decided to point the finger at everyone else but himself. If you’ve got to blame everyone else for your shortcomings, then maybe you’ve got more important things to worry about than basketball.
But that is long in the past. At this stage of his career, he would hold some value on a playoff team
Worst quitter in Philly history.
If healthy.
Yeah Simmons can’t shoot for his life but someone’s definitely taking a chance on him as long as they’re on the hook for league minimum after the buyout and not 40 million.
Ben Simmons is finalizing a buyout with the Nets, per Shams Charania and Windhorst.
It was previously reported that Simmons was in negotiations and away from the team. (via Brian Lewis of The New York Post).
If dude ends up on cavs and gets to the finals by some way before Embiid though???? Lol
Hell, all they have to do is make it to the ECF and he’ll have gone farther than Embiid. Hoping for a finals berth/chip as a Cavs fan, of course, but this is still a young team with room to grow.
Of those teams, I feel like Houston makes the most sense for how they play, but they also have multiple options at smallball 5, and at the 4…
I’m not as sure about Cleveland or the Clippers, unless they change their rotations significantly…Cleveland definitely has lineups he makes a lot of sense in, and helps, but they also just traded for DeAndre hunter…I feel like they’re sticking with their multibig lineups…Simmons certainly would give them multiple options though, so maybe that’s what they do; I’m not necessarily aware of how much he wants to get minutes, etc
For the Clippers I wonder about spacing in some lineups
If the new cba rules weren’t blocking them, the lakers would probably jump at the chance to grab him right now…he also would be really good on these Celtics. I think he’d be a fit for the Heat, if he was willing to show up and work