ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Ben Simmons plans to join the Los Angeles Clippers when he clears waivers after reaching a buyout deal with the Brooklyn Nets earlier on Saturday. Simmons will now be able to join a Clippers squad that is looking for depth as it competes for a postseason spot in the Western Conference.
Simmons was earning $40.3 million in the last year of his deal. After spending the previous three seasons in Brooklyn, where injuries and uneven performance restricted his influence, the 28-year-old guard begins a new chapter in his career.
Just In: Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons intends to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers after clearing waivers, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/D37Tzmik46
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2025
Ben Simmons now has a new beginning and the chance to repair his league reputation while playing for a club that is in the running for the playoffs. In 2022, the Nets acquired Ben Simmons to use him as a playmaking and defensive anchor to support Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. However, things never turned out as planned. He played just 90 games over three seasons due to injuries, inconsistent play, and lack of confidence.
Simmons earned $86.3 million during his time with the Nets, averaging 6.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game. He saw fleeting glimpses of his former self this season but was still far from his best. The buyout arrangement, however, resulted from the Nets’ eventual decision to move on.
Is Ben Simmons A Perfect Choice For The Clippers?
The Clippers are vying for a top-six position in the Western Conference following a 28-23 start to the season. Their offense has occasionally faltered despite their excellent defense, which is why they acquired Bogdan Bogdanovic around the trade deadline. Simmons will be a low-risk, high-reward strategy for them.
Now is the time to adjust Simmons’s expectations. Even if he could never play for an All-Star team again, he can still be a valuable member of a successful squad. Simmons sees this Clippers opportunity as a chance for atonement. He may have more options in free agency if he can demonstrate that he is a valuable bench player for a postseason club.
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Simmons is still a 6-foot-10 playmaker who can contribute on both ends of the court, even though he isn’t playing at the All-Star level he did in Philadelphia. As the Clippers attempt to recapture momentum in the Western Conference, his anticipated signing gives them another ball-handler and defensive presence. The Clippers presently have a 28-23 record.
Los Angeles is currently sixth in the West after dropping three consecutive games. Most notably, it lost 119–112 to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday after giving up a 22-point lead. Ben Simmons might be a great move that’ll extend their depth off the bench.
