After agreeing to a contract buyout with the Nets on Saturday, Ben Simmons is signing with the Los Angeles Clippers once he clears waivers, SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley reports.
Begley reported Friday that Simmons was meeting with three teams while finalizing the buyout with Brooklyn.
Simmons played just 90 games with the Nets over three seasons due to injuries, averaging only 6.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game.
He was acquired by GM Sean Marks from the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of the 2022-23 season in the James Harden trade, but never made an impact in Brooklyn. He now coincidentally becomes teammates with Harden in LA, along with fellow superstar Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers are currently 28-23 and the seven seed in the tight Western Conference standings.
“After the trade deadline passed we had a conversation where we mutually agreed to come up with a solution to give Ben the opportunity to seek out a fresh start for himself,” Simmons’ agent Bernie Lee said.
Simmons did not play during the 2021-22 season due to a contract holdout and a back injury. He had made three straight All-Star teams from 2018-19 to 2020-21 before injuries became a reoccurring issue.
Simmons played in 42 games during his first Nets season, just 15 last season, and had played in 33 (24 starts) so far this season.
He was slotted to earn just over $40 million this year prior to the contract buyout, and is set for unrestricted free agency this offseason.
