Ben Simmons Agrees To Nets Buyout, Intends To Sign With Clippers

February 8, 2025

Ben Simmons has reached a contract buyout agreement with the Brooklyn Nets, and intends to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers upon clearing waivers, per NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN.

The Nets confirmed in a press release that they have officially requested waivers on Simmons, meaning he will be free to sign with any NBA team as of 5 p.m. EST on Monday.

Charania first reported that the Nets and Simmons were working toward a buyout shortly after the trade deadline passed on Thursday. On Friday, Charania, along with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, confirmed that the two sides were finalizing the details of the agreement.

Despite early reports suggesting that Simmons was planning to meet with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Houston Rockets, his agent, Bernie Lee, clarified on Friday that Simmons had not met with any teams and that discussions with the Nets were still ongoing.

“Ben hasn’t met with anyone nor is he,” Lee said in a statement to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “We are having conversations with the Nets, and when there is something to be said, we will let everyone know.”

Simmons, the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year, made three All-Star teams during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2021. However, his relationship with the 76ers soured that year, leading to a lengthy holdout and a trade to Brooklyn.

In three seasons with the Nets, Simmons has played in just 90 games, averaging 6.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game.

Though Simmons’ limited shooting ability has made him a challenging fit in certain lineups, he remains a skilled playmaker, defender, and rebounder. As a low-cost addition on the buyout market, he could still offer significant value.

However, due to his previous contract with the Nets, Simmons will be ineligible to sign with teams operating above the tax apron once he clears waivers.

That means the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets will not be able to pursue him.